On Tuesday 10 December, the spokeswoman for the European External Action Service deplored the repressive actions against protesters, media representatives and opposition leaders in Georgia. In a press release, she called for the immediate release of all those detained.
“For nearly two weeks, the Georgian people have been standing up for their democratic and European aspirations, facing brutal, unlawful force from the police while exercising their right to freedom of expression”, the spokeswoman said in a statement, citing “ disturbing” reports from civil society organisations and the Georgian Public Defender of serious and intentional violence, “raising credible concerns of torture and inhuman treatment”. With more than 400 people arrested and more than 300 allegedly subjected to violence and ill-treatment, she said that all allegations of torture and ill-treatment should be subject to a “credible” investigation.
The EEAS spokeswoman also urged the Georgian Dream party to defuse the situation and put an end to this environment, which is having serious consequences for the Georgian people, adding that violence was not the answer to the protesters’ demands for a democratic and European future for Georgia. She warned that the EU foreign ministers, meeting in Council on 16 December, would consider additional measures against the government.
At their summit on 19 December, European leaders are also expected to express their “serious concerns” about recent developments in Georgia. “The European Council strongly condemns the violence against peaceful protesters. The Georgian authorities must respect the right to freedom of assembly and of expression, and refrain from using force”, they are expected to warn, according to draft summit conclusions obtained by Agence Europe. The heads of State or government are expected to call for all acts of violence to be investigated and those responsible held to account.
The European Council should stress that the Union is ready to support the European aspirations of the Georgian people and regret the Georgian government’s decision to suspend the country’s EU accession process until 2028. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)