Georgian authorities must immediately halt use of unlawful force against protestors

We, the undersigned members of the Network of Human Rights Houses, are alarmed by the Georgia authorities’ actions in the context of recent protests across Tbilisi in response to the authorities’ announced halt to Georgia’s European Union accession bid. These actions include the violent crackdown on protestors, torture and  ill-treatment of those detained, and deliberate targeting of journalists. We call on the Georgian authorities to end the widespread use of unlawful force by police and to respect fundamental freedoms and human rights, in line with Georgia’s international obligations. 

Photo by Guram Muradov/Civil.ge

The Georgian authorities’ decision to halt EU accession talks came amidst ongoing protests against what local observers consider fraudulent and manipulated parliamentary elections on 26 October 2024, and subsequent calls for repeat elections, including by the European Parliament. In response, large-scale manifestations have been taking place in Tbilisi since 28 November. Some observer groups have put the number of demonstrators at around 200,000. 

In response, law enforcement officials, as well as unidentified, plain clothes individuals in masks, have been resorting to extreme violence against demonstrators and media workers. The Ombudsman and rights groups have decried the assaults and intentional targeting of journalists and their equipment; and chasing, encircling, and beating peaceful demonstrators, including those who were retreating from the protest scene or were sheltering within private facilities. Journalists and politicians suffered broken bones. More than 300 protestors have been detained. The Ombudsman reported that 80% of detainees have complained about police violence and his office has documented cases of ill-treatment. Over the course of protests, tear gas, water cannon and pepper spray have been repeatedly used. According to the Ombudsman, this is done without legal grounds. 

To date, over 40 individuals have been hospitalised. CSO Legal Aid Network lawyers has reported that those in medical facilities “sustained extensive bruises and facial injuries, fractured noses and jaws”. They reportedly suffer from “multiple hematomas, and difficulty moving and speaking”. Victims have recounted rape threats and severe beatings while in police custody.

The Georgian authorities have a responsibility to uphold Georgia’s human rights obligations, including to protect the freedom to peacefully assemble. There is an absolute prohibition on torture and ill-treatment under the international human rights law. Skirmishes and altercations within part of a protest do not justify the dispersal of the entire demonstration of tens of thousands of peaceful protestors with tear gas, pepper spray and water cannons. The authorities’ response to demonstrations since 28 November amounts to excessive and disproportionate force that cannot be justified under freedom of assembly and expression limitations.

We call on Georgian authorities  to:

1. Immediately put an end to police violence and the use of ill-treatment against protesters;
2. Unconditionally release unjustly detained protestors and ensure that those in detention enjoy fair trial guarantees;
3. Respect international law on peaceful assembly and ensure the protection of participants of such peaceful assemblies;
4. Unequivocally condemn police brutality and reported cases of ill-treatment;
5. Promptly and effectively investigate reports of abuse of power and alleged torture;
6. Allow journalists to cover protest actions without hindrance.

 Furthermore, we call on the international community to:

1. Publicly condemn the use of excessive violence and alleged torture by Georgian law enforcement;
2. Pressure the Georgian authorities to immediately end police violence and the use of ill-treament against protesters;
3. Closely cooperate with Georgian human rights defenders to respond to the documented cases of human rights violations;
4. Ensure that all international mechanisms are duly applied to hold Georgian authorities accountable for human rights violations.

Signed by:

Barys Zvozskau Belarusian Human Rights House

Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ)

Belarusian Helsinki Committee

Belgrade Centre for Human Rights

Educational Human Rights House Chernihiv and its member organisations:

• Center AHALAR
• EAST SOS
• NGO MART

Helsinki Committee for Huma Rights in Serbia

Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights (Poland)

Human Rights House Banja Luka and its member organisations:

• Banjaluka Centre for Human Rights
• Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Banja Luka
• Transparency International in Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Hi Neighbour (“Zdravo da ste”)

Human Rights House Crimea and its member organisations:

• Crimea SOS
• Crimean Human Rights Group
• Crimean Process
• Human Rights Centre ZMINA
• Regional Center for Human Rights

Human Rights House Foundation (Norway)

Human Rights House Tbilisi and its member organisations:

• Georgian Centre for Psychosocial and Medical Rehabilitation of Torture Victims
• Rights Georgia
• Human Rights Center
• Sapari
• Media Institute

Human Rights House Yerevan and its member organisations:

• Pink Human Rights Defender NGO

Human Rights House Zagreb

Index on Censorship

Legal Education Society (Azerbaijan)

Legal Initiative (Belarus)

PEN Belarus

Rafto Foundation for Human Rights (Norway)