Georgia finds itself at a crossroads as peaceful protests, triggered by allegations of electoral fraud and deepening political tensions, are met with heavy-handed police actions and media crackdowns.
In the aftermath of Georgia's parliamentary elections on October 26, 2024, the nation has been engulfed in political turmoil. The ruling Georgian Dream party was declared the winner with 53.93% of the vote, a result that has been vehemently disputed by opposition parties and civil society organisations. Allegations of electoral fraud, including voter intimidation, ballot stuffing, and other irregularities, have been substantiated by international observers. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe noted that the election occurred amid a "climate of hatred and intimidation," while European Parliament monitors accused Georgian Dream of utilising "anti-Western and hostile rhetoric" and promoting Russian misinformation.
The disputed election results have ignited a series of demonstrations across the country, with citizens demanding new elections and expressing concerns over Georgia's democratic trajectory and its aspirations for European Union membership.
On November 19, 2024, tensions escalated when police dispersed a 48-hour rally near Tbilisi State University with force, detaining approximately a dozen demonstrators.
Among those detained was a cameraman from Mtavari TV, who was released several hours later. The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association reported receiving calls about 12 arrests, with some detainees' whereabouts still unknown. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has yet to issue a statement regarding these detentions.
The Coalition for Change reported that several members were detained during the crackdown on Melikishvili Avenue, while one member suffered injuries, reportedly due to pepper spray, and was hospitalised. The Media Ombudsman highlighted that Special Forces obstructed journalistic activities during the dispersal, detaining some media representatives and physically assaulting others.
Civil society organisations have condemned the actions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, urging law enforcement to respect the rights to freedom of expression and assembly. The Public Defender of Georgia emphasised that the protest was peaceful and in accordance with the norms of freedom of assembly, when law enforcement officials began detaining people. The Defender called on the Ministry of Internal Affairs to ensure the freedom of peaceful assembly and to avoid obstructing journalistic activities.
The recent police crackdown on peaceful demonstrators and journalists in Tbilisi represents a serious threat to civil society in Georgia, undermining democratic principles and hindering civic engagement. The use of force against protesters and the detention of media personnel create chilling effect, discouraging public participation in civic activities and fostering fear of reprisal among citizens and civil society organisations. This environment stifles open dialogue, weakens advocacy efforts, and diminishes initiatives promoting transparency, accountability, and human rights. Additionally, targeting journalists during the dispersal undermines press freedom, limiting the flow of information. Such actions risk censorship within the media and civil society, further shrinking the space for dissent and democratic participation.
On an international level, these developments could draw criticism from human rights organisations and foreign partners, potentially jeopardising Georgia's aspirations for European integration and its reputation as a democratic state.
To address these challenges, it is imperative for the Georgian government to protect the rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, ensure the safety of journalists, and engage constructively with civil society to rebuild trust and uphold democratic values.
In response to the recent suppression of peaceful protests and media freedoms in Georgia, civil society organizations are intensifying their advocacy efforts to safeguard democratic principles. Planned activities include legal challenges against unlawful detentions and increased engagement with international human rights bodies to hold the government accountable.
Despite current challenges, the resilience and proactive stance of Georgian CSOs offer hope for the restoration and strengthening of democratic norms in the country.