Georgia’s Brutal Protest Crackdown Sparks Global Human Rights Concerns

As the government works to suppress unplanned public demonstrations in Georgia, UN experts today criticized a history of repression and human rights abuses in the nation. They stated, “We are seeing daily violence by state security forces against peaceful protestors, mass arbitrary arrests and criminalisation, and a smear campaign by the government and state agencies under its control to stigmatise and intimidate protestors, in particular young people, civil society and human rights defenders.”

Over the past two weeks, Georgia has cracked down on anti-government protests subjecting hundreds of protestors to torture, unlawful arrest and violent dispersal techniques.

Since Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced on November 28 that Georgia would halt its joining the EU efforts, there have been widespread protests in Georgian cities and rural areas. The State has responded to them brutally where pictures of masked police attacking nonviolent protesters with tear gas and water cannons are being circulated every day. Most protests have been peaceful despite allegations of some protesters using violence primarily in reaction to police use of force.

Numerous human rights violations such as the unlawful use of force, torture and other cruel treatment and the intentional targeting of journalists are highlighted in a thorough briefing by  Amnesty International that is based on the experiences of victims of police brutality, human rights defenders and video evidence. The repression that is sanctioned by the state and intended to silence criticism is evident.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs said that 357 protest participants had been arrested as of December 10th 2024. The Public Defender of Georgia had visited 327 of those in custody, 225 of whom reported mistreatment by police and 157 of whom reported injuries. 

Both criminal and administrative courts are prosecuting protesters in large numbers. On the other hand, the state soldiers who carried out the attacks proceeded with zero accountability.

Unlawful force has been used against the demonstrations on multiple occasions including water cannons purportedly mixed with chemical irritants, rubber bullets and tear gas. 

Tensions were raised by this harsh response and a few isolated violent incidents happened primarily in retaliation for the police’s more aggressive tactics. Over 100 demonstrators suffered serious injuries including concussions and broken bones. More than fifty media personnel were reported hurt with journalists being singled out for extra attention.

Davit Abuladze, a deaf demonstrator who was arrested by police on December 3rd is one particularly horrific example. He was arrested after he left the location where the protests had taken place while he was buying dinner rather than protesting in the actual mass rally. After allegedly being assaulted on the street and in a police vehicle, he was held for several hours without access to medical care or interpretation. Due to his severe injuries which included a concussion and head damage, Davit had to be admitted to the hospital.

Since December 4th law enforcement has not been the only group using violence and intimidation against demonstrators, anonymous people wearing masks and carrying firearms have also participated. These supposedly government affiliated guys have intimidated and assaulted journalists and protesters on multiple occasions with obvious police cooperation.

Not a single police officer or member of an armed masked gang has been identified or prosecuted responsible for the hundreds of accusations of police abuse. Courts frequently give police testimony precedence over witness statements and video evidence compromising the right to a fair trial and sustaining state sanctioned impunity.

Also Read | Countries Planning to Send Back Syrian Refugees. Does the Political Outbreak Constrain the Refugees to Predicament?