Citing alleged "blackmail and manipulation" by EU officials, on 28 November 2024, Georgia's ruling party, announced the suspension of European Union accession negotiations until 2028. This decision has ignited widespread protests in Tbilisi and raised significant concerns regarding the state's commitment to upholding the country’s constitutional aspirations to join the EU.
Violent crackdown on protesters sparks criticism
Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze claimed that the country would join the EU 'on its own terms' in 2030, delaying the current accession talks. This announcement has drawn strong domestic and international backlash, since it represents a significant shift in Georgia’s constitutionally enshrined pro-European foreign policy.
Following the announcement, thousands of demonstrators convened in the capital Tbilisi to express dissent against the government's decision. Similar protests erupted in other cities, including Zugdidi, Batumi and Kutaisi.
Police forces deployed water cannons, tear gas, and pepper spray to disperse the crowds, resulting in numerous injuries and detentions. These actions have been widely criticised as excessive and disproportionate. The Ministry of Internal Affairs reported the detention of 43 protesters and injuries to 32 police officers, with 13 requiring surgery. However, human rights organisations documented numerous instances of police brutality, including targeted assaults on peaceful protesters and elderly demonstrators.
The Public Defender calls on the Special Investigation Service/Prosecutor's Office to conduct an effective investigation within a tight timeframe and identify all responsible individuals whose actions, possible orders, or silent consent resulted in the gross violation of the rights of peaceful protesters and journalists. It is also crucial that the investigation is carried out under the correct legal qualification (using specific articles addressing improper treatment), accurately reflecting the assessment of actions that occurred during the night of 28 October.
Media freedom also came under attack during the protests. Multiple journalists, including those from TV Pirveli, Formula TV and Publika, were assaulted and reported injuries from pepper spray and physical beatings.1 The Media Ombudsman released a statement denouncing the targeted police violence against journalists during the overnight dispersal of the protest. The Ombudsman urged the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Special Investigation Service to promptly initiate thorough investigations into the incidents.
Starting from 29 November, the Parliament building operate under a heightened "red security level," restricting access to all individuals, including journalists. Entry are permitted only to those "authorised by the head of the Parliament office" based on an assessment of the need to mitigate potential risks.
Domestic and international response
The suspension of EU accession talks and the subsequent crackdown on protests have drawn condemnation from international actors.
EU Ambassador to Georgia, Paweł Herczyński, described the decision as "heartbreaking" and emphasised that it contradicts the will of the Georgian people, approximately 80% of whom support EU membership.
He also condemned the police violence against protesters, highlighting the EU's commitment to democratic principles and human rights.
European leaders, including German Bundestag's Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael Roth and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, have expressed solidarity with the Georgian people and criticised the government's actions.
The country’s civil servants have publicly criticised the move. Dozens of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs employees have issued a joint statement. They express their commitment to Georgia’s EU aspirations, stressing that the enlargement window that is now open may never be reopened, and if Georgia stops on this path, it risks facing isolation. Around fifty staff members of the Ministry of Defense also issued a joint statement asserting that Georgia's Euro-Atlantic integration path is "irreplaceable" and reaffirming their commitment to Article 78 of the Georgian Constitution, which codifies this direction. Employees of Ministry of Education also issued the statement of similar spirit.
The fight for democratic freedoms and EU integration continues
The recent developments in Georgia, sparked by the suspension of EU accession talks and the heavy-handed crackdown on protests, signal a critical juncture for the country's democratic trajectory. The public backlash, ongoing demonstrations, and condemnation from civil society and international actors suggest that this issue will continue to dominate Georgia’s political landscape in the coming weeks.
Despite the challenges, Georgian people seem determined to fight for the protection of their rights and freedoms. The mobilisation of students, journalists, and cultural figures highlights a resilient commitment to democratic values and European aspirations, offering hope for continued advocacy and reform.