The protests in Georgia go on despite police repression

Translated by Irene Cecchi

At the end of November 2024, protests in Georgia against the government’s decision to stop the EU accession negotiations got more intense. This decision aroused a hanger wave among the citizens who believe in the integration with the European Union not only on a political level but also as a way to get rid of the Russian influence and finally build more transparent institutions. The tensions started when the last parliamentary elections were accused of being tampered and many local and international observers denounced anomalies like vote rigging, pressure on the voters and an ambiguous vote counting.

After a month from the beginning of the protests, the participation is still high, despite the police brutal repression. Thousands of citizens regularly gather in the main cities of the Country, especially in Tbilisi, to express their dissent against the government. Some protests reached 100000 participants. Despite the spreading of the event on the main international newspapers and the ongoing commitment, the attention on Georgia gradually decreased in the last few weeks. Recently, testimonies of serious abuses by the police were reported, by Amnesty International among others, denouncing a brutal and unbearable behaviour against demonstrators

Repression and extreme use of force by the police.

Georgian police forces answered back to the protests with systemic and precise violence that is subject of various condemns by human rights organizations. According to a Human Right Watch report, the police would have used rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannons against peaceful demonstrators, causing tens of wounded, some of them seriously. Videos and testimonies collected show agents beating up people already on the ground or handcuffed, revealing an excessive use of violence.

According to some testimonies, some arrested protestants have been subjected to mistreatment during their custody, with beatings and physical intimidations. Journalists ended up the same way: many of them suffered physical violence and in some cases their equipment was broken to avoid the documentation of it. The repression didn't stop in the streets: night raids in activists and political opponents’ houses, leading to a growing fear and number of arbitrary and illegal detentions.

According to Human Rights Watch, the police didn't just disperse the protests but they deliberately followed a strategy of stifling dissent. This includes the blocking of safety exits for wounded people, a behaviour that not only violates human rights but also proves the complete disregard for citizens' security. After a month from the beginning of the protests more than 460 people were arrested, mainly youth and civil society’s leaders, with the clear aim of intimidating anyone who dare to challenge the government.

A month of protests: a will of change

After a month of ongoing protests and a continuous participation of citizens of all ages and origin, they are still challenging the repression to demand a real change. The demonstrators are not just asking for the restoration of the EU accession negotiations anymore, now, they also require a deep transformation of the whole political system, transparency reforms and institutions to protect human rights.

Despite the violent repression, many demonstrators find strength in mutual support and in the international attention that, even if it’s not continuous, gave visibility to their requests.

On an international level, solidarity to the democracy movement is growing, with human rights organizations, activists and also some governments that condemn the repressive actions of the Georgian government. Either ways, common people are the ones carrying on with the fight, often risking their own security to ensure the dream of a Georgia free from oppression, able to look towards Europe for the future.

Mondo Internazionale APS - Riproduzione Riservata ® 2024