“The US State Department must take action” – response from the international community

The international community is responding to the excessive force used by police against protesters and journalists in Georgia. They stand with the Georgian people and urge the government to stop the violence. We offer our full support together:

“Georgia must remain faithful to its European values: The Assembly strongly condemns the brutal repression of the peaceful demonstrations that took place in Tbilisi, as a violation of the fundamental rights to freedom of expression and assembly,” – says statement by the Standing Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) at its meeting on 29 November 2024.

“In Georgia, a regime is waging war against its own people. But freedom will prevail. And Europe must finally wake up. We must stand by committed Europeans! In Georgia, our common values are at risk,” writes Michael Roth, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the German Bundestag, on X.

“Georgians continue to protest tonight in front of the Parliament in Tbilisi. They have been betrayed by their government. Will they be supported by the European Union? The European Parliament has shown the way,” wrote MEP Natalie Loiseau.

“We call on both the current and incoming administrations to commit to supporting the Georgian people in their fight to restore democracy and freedom in their country. The U.S. State Department must take steps to hold accountable those responsible for violating Georgians’ right to protest peacefully and elect their leaders,” the U.S. Helsinki Commission said in a statement, signed by Joe Wilson, a nominee for chairman of Trump’s Foreign Affairs Committee.

The statement from the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs reads: “Denmark is appalled by reports of the excessive use of violence against pro-European protesters & journalists in Georgia. Denmark stands firmly with the Georgian people. Their democratic & fundamental rights have to be respected.”

The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland said, “I am disappointed by the decision of the Georgian government to halt their EU process—against the people’s will. We still see the Georgian people’s future in a free and democratic society. I strongly condemn any violent action against peaceful protesters. Georgia is Europe.”

The Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs wrote on X: “I am deeply disturbed by the use of brutal force against peaceful protesters and media workers in Georgia. I regret the Georgian government’s decision to halt efforts toward EU accession, a key vehicle for Georgia’s democratic reforms. We support the people’s will for a European path.”

“The MFA is disappointed with the decision of Georgia’s authorities to suspend talks with the EU on opening accession negotiations. Poland remains committed to supporting Georgian society’s pro-European aspirations and calls on the Georgian authorities to avoid violence against peaceful protesters,” states Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“The German government is deeply concerned about the situation in Georgia,” said German Foreign Ministry spokesman Christian Wagner in an interview with Deutsche Welle. “People have the right to voice their demands, and we expect law enforcement to show restraint and avoid violence,” he added.

“Latvia has always supported democratic Georgia’s European path and always will. I express my full solidarity with the people of Georgia and President Salome Zourabichvili. The right to peaceful demonstrations and protests must be fully respected,” writes the President of the Republic of Latvia.

On November 29, Georgian Ambassador to Bulgaria Otar Berdzenishvili announced his resignation over the Georgian government’s decision to halt the country’s EU accession process. In response, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Estonian Parliament tweeted that he hopes the Georgian ambassador to Estonia “follows the example of Mr. Berdzenishvili.”