Public statements from international bodies and governments

EU Condemns Georgia Police Violence in Protests Over 'Foreign Agents' Bill

May 2, 2024, 04:31 AM

In Georgia, widespread protests have erupted in response to the government's attempt to pass a controversial 'foreign agents' bill, which critics argue aligns the country closer to Russia and undermines democratic freedoms. The European Union, recognizing Georgia as a candidate country, and other international bodies have condemned the excessive use of force and urged Georgia to respect the right to peaceful assembly. The protests, which have been ongoing for weeks, intensified as police used tear gas, water cannons, and rubber bullets against demonstrators, leading to injuries and the arrest of 63 demonstrators on one occasion. President Salome Zurabishvili condemned the police actions. Amidst the unrest, a brawl broke out in the Georgian parliament during discussions on the bill, highlighting the deep divisions over the legislation, which Brussels has denounced.