Protesters hold placards outside the Georgian parliament building after former soccer player Mikhail Kavelashvili was officially sworn in as president of Georgia in Tbilisi on December 29, 2024 | Photo by AFP
The foreign ministers of Germany, France and Poland said on Tuesday (31 December 2024) that Georgia’s “political expressed concern about the crisis. The party’s dominance, which the opposition says is a blow to the country’s European Union aspirations and a victory for former imperial ruler Russia.
“We strongly condemn last week’s violence against peaceful protesters, the media and opposition leaders, and reiterate the responsibility of the Georgian authorities to respect human rights and protect fundamental freedoms, including freedom of assembly and freedom of the press. ,” the three ministers said in a joint statement.
In response to the ruling Georgian Dream Party’s pro-Russian policies, the three countries “implemented the EU decision to end visa-free travel for Georgian diplomatic and service passport holders and announced further measures at EU and national level. We will consider it.”
They also said that “the political line of repression and democratic backsliding through the Georgian Dream led in reaction to the downgrading of bilateral relations at European and national level, as well as a reduction in aid and cooperation to the Georgian authorities.” emphasized.
The Georgian Dream party maintained a parliamentary majority in the October 26 election, which the opposition claims was rigged with support from Moscow. The party has vowed to continue pushing towards membership in the European Union, but also wants to “reset” relations with Russia.
Georgia’s outgoing president and the main pro-Western political parties boycotted the post-election parliamentary session and demanded a new vote.
Critics have accused Georgian Dream, founded by shadowy billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili who made his fortune in Russia, of becoming increasingly authoritarian and tilted toward Moscow, but the ruling party He denies the accusation. The party recently passed legislation similar to those used by the Kremlin to suppress free speech and LGBTQ+ rights.
Georgian Dream’s decision last month to halt negotiations for its country to join the EU further angered opponents and sparked protests.
In a joint statement, Germany, France and Poland reiterated their determination to support the democratic and European aspirations of the Georgian people.
Thousands of demonstrators have gathered at Parliament House every night for weeks since the government announced on November 28 that it was canceling EU accession negotiations.
Riot police have used water cannons and tear gas almost daily to disperse and assault large numbers of demonstrators, with some throwing fireworks at police and barricading the capital’s central boulevards. there was. Hundreds of people were detained and more than 100 were treated for injuries.
Several journalists who were assaulted by police have accused authorities of using thugs to dissuade people from participating in anti-government rallies, a charge denied by the Georgian Dream party. . The crackdown has drawn strong condemnation from US and EU authorities.
issued – January 1, 2025 12:24 PM IST
