EU and US leaders condemn human rights violations in Georgia as UK sanctions officials News
VOA, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
EU and US leaders condemn human rights violations in Georgia as UK sanctions officials

Leaders from the European Union (EU) and the US issued a strong joint statement Thursday condemning the recent crackdown on opposition activists and the decline of human rights in Georgia.

This condemnation follows a series of protests against the Georgian government where police have faced accusations of using excessive force against demonstrators advocating for democratic reforms and European integration. The joint statement alleges widespread intimidation and arbitrary detentions affecting protesters and opposition leaders, with reports indicating that over 400 individuals have been detained amid escalating police violence.

The EU and US leaders have called for the immediate release of all detained individuals and an end to “excessively violent tactics” employed by law enforcement against peaceful protesters, further emphasizing that such actions undermine Georgia’s aspirations for EU membership and violate its constitutional commitments to uphold fundamental rights.

In conjunction with this condemnation, the UK government has imposed sanctions on five senior Georgian officials deemed responsible for the violent crackdown on media and protesters. These sanctions include travel bans and asset freezes. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated that the UK will consider all options to ensure those responsible are held accountable.

Georgia has faced a significantly deteriorating political landscape, marked by legislative actions perceived as anti-democratic. The government’s recent passage of laws targeting civil society organizations has raised concerns about its commitment to democratic values, which were further heightened after a de facto halt in Georgia’s EU accession process, a long-standing goal for many Georgians.

The situation escalated following an October parliamentary election marred by allegations of fraud and irregularities, prompting widespread protests nationwide. Activists argue that these events reflect a broader trend of democratic backsliding under the ruling party, Georgian Dream, which has increasingly aligned itself with Russia rather than pursuing European integration.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Georgia became first US state to ban lynching

On December 20, 1893, Georgia became the first state in the Union to pass a law against lynching, making the act punishable by four years in prison. The statute was not particularly effective—read the text of the 1899 pamphlet Lynch Law in Georgia by anti-lynching activist Ida Wells-Barnett.