Rights chief calls on Georgian authorities to protect basic freedoms
2 December 2024, 12:00
TBILISI, Georgia – The UN human rights chief has called on the Georgian authorities to protect basic freedoms, including the right to peaceful assembly and expression, following a crackdown on protests in the capital, Tbilisi.
In a statement released on Friday, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said she was concerned by the use of force against protesters and the detention of journalists and civil society activists.
“The Georgian authorities have a duty to respect and protect the human rights of all individuals, including the right to peaceful assembly and expression,” Bachelet said. “The use of excessive force against protesters is never justified.”
The protests began on Tuesday following the arrest of Nika Melia, the leader of the opposition United National Movement party. Melia was charged with organizing mass violence during protests in 2019.
The protests have since spread to other cities in Georgia, with demonstrators calling for the release of Melia and the resignation of Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili.
The Georgian authorities have defended their use of force, saying that it was necessary to maintain order and prevent violence. However, Bachelet said that the authorities must ensure that any use of force is proportionate and necessary.
“I urge the Georgian authorities to release all those who have been detained for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and assembly,” Bachelet said. “I also call on the authorities to conduct a prompt, independent and impartial investigation into the use of force against protesters.”
The Georgian government has said that it is committed to respecting human rights and the rule of law. However, critics have accused the government of cracking down on dissent and undermining democratic institutions.
The protests in Georgia are the latest in a series of demonstrations that have taken place in the country in recent years. In 2019, there were large-scale protests against alleged electoral fraud. In 2020, there were protests against the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The current protests are a test for Georgia’s democracy. If the authorities are able to respect the rights of protesters and conduct a fair and impartial investigation into the use of force, it will send a strong message that Georgia is committed to human rights and the rule of law. However, if the authorities continue to crack down on dissent, it will raise concerns about the future of democracy in Georgia.
Rights chief calls on Georgian authorities to protect basic freedoms
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