Late on June 2, 2023, the police dispersed peaceful protesters in front of Tbilisi's parliament building, including human right defenders and representatives of non-governmental organisations, for carrying protest banners (basically blank white papers). Few protesters gathered in front of parliament to criticise Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili's recent anti-western and pro-Russian statements at the Global Security Forum. They also showed support for Beka Grigoriadis, the father of Lazare Grigoriadis, who has been held in pretrial custody since the large-scale street protests against the "Law on Agents" in March 2023. Beka Grigoriadis, who had protested his son's detention, had been detained the day before for attempting to put up a tent near the parliament. Following those incidents, six people, including two minors, were detained on June 3, 2023, in Batumi's Era Square. This happened during a rally intended to express solidarity with the illegally and arbitrarily detained activists on June 2, 2023. The related footage depicts the police using physical force against multiple individuals (clashes, handshakes), as well as violent arrests.
CSOs declared that the arrests of human rights activists were arbitrary, unlawful, and aggressive - asking for the following:
- The Ministry of the Interior should liberate the detainees immediately and end the practice of illegal detentions.
- Establish a Special Investigation committee to investigate the unconstitutional detention of nonviolent activists and the abuse of authority by law enforcement.
- As the individual responsible for overseeing the preservation of human rights on the territory of Georgia, the Public Defender of Georgia should act in accordance with the mechanisms outlined in his mandate, including monitoring the freedom of assembly and expression and the legal status of detainees on the ground.
On June 4, protesters were released after serving the maximum term of 48 hours for pre-trial confinement. Yet, the evidence reveals a troubling trend of limitations to freedom of expression and the unlawful arrests of human rights activists who peacefully participate in rallies, mostly with the aim of criticising recent political and social developments.
Not only does the criminalisation of peaceful activism undermine the principles of European integration, but it also erodes the foundation of trust between the government and its citizens.
As Georgia charts its path towards Euro integration, it is imperative to foster an environment that upholds the principles of democracy, human rights and freedom of expression. Recent events have highlighted a growing disparity between the rhetoric of progress and the actual measures undertaken to propel the nation forward. Such incidents cast a shadow on the progress of the country and serve as a stark reminder of the challenges that lie ahead.
Photo credit: Nini Gabritchidze