In a recent condemnation, Amnesty International has voiced significant concern over the actions of Georgian law enforcement during the mass arrests and police violence amidst peaceful protests in Tbilisi. The demonstrations erupted following Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s decision to delay Georgia’s European Union membership bid until 2028, a plan that has prompted widespread public disapproval.
Denis Krivosheev, Amnesty International’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia Deputy Director, sharply criticized the Georgian government and police, labeling their actions as “punitive” and aimed at stifling dissent through “unlawful use of force.” The tactics employed by the police include the deployment of water cannons, tear gas, pepper spray, and rubber bullets directly targeting protesters. These measures have been widely condemned as excessive and unwarranted, and Krivosheev has called for an immediate cessation of such violent practices, urging an independent, fair, and thorough investigation.
The concerns are echoed by Georgia’s public defender, who described the unjustified use of force against demonstrators, lawmakers, and journalists as “criminal and degrading.” The public defender attributed the police’s conduct to a lack of accountability, citing the absence of mandatory body cameras and insignia, a deficiency highlighted in the European Court of Human Rights’ Tsaava and Others v. Georgia (2019) case, which underlines the necessity for visible insignia to ensure police accountability while maintaining anonymity.
Furthermore, in a public statement on X, President Salome Zourabichvili condemned the Georgian government as illegitimate, accusing it of employing illegal strategies to suppress the voices of citizens dedicated to upholding “constitutional and European values” (view tweet).
Amnesty International’s denunciation points to potential violations of the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials. These principles stipulate that force should be utilized only when absolutely necessary and in proportion to the existing threat. They further articulate that when force is unavoidable, it should remain minimal, proportional, and in pursuit of a legitimate law enforcement objective (see document).
The demonstrations commenced on 28 November 2024, a reaction to Prime Minister Kobakhidze’s contentious decision concerning the EU membership application. The backdrop of these protests includes Kobakhidze’s recent electoral victory in October, which raised alarms due to alleged irregularities and his associations with Russia, resulting in criticism from both the European Union and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
As tensions continue to simmer, the situation in Georgia remains fluid, with observers keenly watching how the government and international stakeholders will respond to the escalating pressure for greater accountability and adherence to human rights standards. For further updates, see the original report by JURIST.