EU condemns 'intimidation, threats and physical assaults' in Georgia
Speaking at a press briefing, a spokesperson for the EU’s chief diplomat Josep Borrell reiterated concern about the situation in Georgia, where pro-western protesters have continued to face a violent crackdown.
“We strongly condemn acts of intimidation, threats and physical assaults against the protesters, against civil society activists, against politicians and against journalists and media workers,” the spokesperson said, pointing to “brutal actions” overnight.
“We call on the authorities to ensure the right to protest,” he said. “We call on the authorities to investigate properly… and we expect that those responsible for it will be brought to justice.”
The European Union and the member states are watching the situation “closely,” he said.
But he also said that “we are not there yet” on sanctions.
“Georgia, after all, is a candidate country – and we again, we hope, we expect and we call on authorities to go back to the European path.”
A demonstrator wears a national flag as she argues with the police that blocked the road towards the Parliament building during an opposition protest against "the Russian law" in the center of Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, May 13. Photograph: Shakh Aivazov/AP
Protests continued in Georgia ahead of a key vote on the controversial ‘foreign agents’ bill.
Riot police armed with water cannon and teargas have been accused of beating protesters who picketed outside Georgia’s parliament to try to stop a final vote.
The fresh scenes of violence came as hundreds of masked officers charged down demonstrators who had been attempting to block off access to the parliament.
A group of members of the European parliament has asked the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs, Josep Borrell, “to start preparing targeted sanctions against those in Georgia who are steering the country away from its European future.”
Speaking at a press briefing, a spokesperson for the EU’s foreign policy chief said “we strongly condemn acts of intimidation, threats and physical assaults against the protesters, against civil society activists, against politicians and against journalists and media workers.”
The centrist Renew Europe group in the European parliament has called “on EU institutions to take steps to further condemn attempts by the ruling party to Putinise Georgia.”
Separatist parties were in danger of losing their decade-long hold of power in Spain’s northeastern Catalonia region, with the pro-union Socialist party winning the most votes in Sunday’s election.
Nevertheless, Carles Puigdemont said he intends to try to form a government composed of pro-independence parties.
Puigdemont said in a press conference that the time has come to “rebuild bridges” within the independence movement and that a repeat election “wouldn’t be best for the Catalan people”.
Police moved in to end a pro-Palestinian protest at the University of Amsterdam today after protesters occupied university buildings in various Dutch cities.
For the first time in my academic career I am greeted by an empty room. Why? Because all the students are protesting against the Russian law in Georgia. ✌️ pic.twitter.com/alC3rfzmLs
— George Melashvili 🇺🇦🇬🇪 (@geomel_ge) May 13, 2024
The centrist Renew Europe group in the European parliament has called “on EU institutions to take steps to further condemn attempts by the ruling party to Putinise Georgia.”
The people of Georgia 🇬🇪 want a European 🇪🇺 future & we want that too!
Police move to end pro-Palestinian protest at Amsterdam university
Police moved in to end a pro-Palestinian protest at the University of Amsterdam today after protesters occupied university buildings in various Dutch cities, Reuters reported.
Amsterdam police said the university had filed a police report against the protesters for acts of vandalism.
The city police also said they will ask protesters to leave the premises voluntarily.
De UvA heeft aangifte gedaan van vernieling door de demonstranten. Daarom is de politie nu aanwezig op het terrein om te zorgen dat niemand het pand meer in kan en de demonstranten wordt gevraagd het terrein te verlaten. Zij krijgen de kans dit vrijwillig en zelfstandig te doen.
— Politie Eenheid Amsterdam (@POL_Amsterdam) May 13, 2024
In a joint statement yesterday, over 100 Georgian civil society groups reiterated their opposition to the controversial ‘foreign agents’ bill.
“We, Georgian non-governmental organizations, once again declare that the draft law adopted by the authorities in the second reading is a Russian Law in its goals and content, it is directed against the Western course supported by the Georgian people, and it must be withdrawn unconditionally. No amount of amendment can reverse the devastating effects that this law will have on our society,” they said.
“The government must withdraw this law unconditionally,” the groups added.
Georgia has been rocked for weeks by demonstrations against a bill that would force non-governmental groups and media to register as “organisations serving the interest of a foreign power” if more than 20% of their funding comes from overseas.
Protesters say it will sabotage thecountry’s hopes of joining the EU and stifle civil society. It has been described as “the Russian law” by critics as it resembles repressive legislation used by the Kremlin.
Police have used teargas and water cannons to disperse the crowds, acting at times with “disproportionate force”, according to watchdogs.
A group of members of the European parliament has asked the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs, Josep Borrell, “to start preparing targeted sanctions against those in Georgia who are steering the country away from its European future.”
🇬🇪🇪🇺 We ask HR/VP @JosepBorrellF to start preparing targeted sanctions against those in Georgia who are steering the country away from its European future.👇We will continue to support Georgia’s pro-European people. pic.twitter.com/9RKPDAF0ed
Thijs Reuten, a member of the European parliament from the Netherlands, said today that “we have to show that we learn our lessons and support the Georgian people now.”
We have to show that we learn our lessons and support the Georgian people now. Not next month, not next year.
The brave people in the streets of 🇬🇪 will continue to resist Russian style sabotage of their democracy, constitution and EU integration. #NoToRussianLawpic.twitter.com/WtQ7hEpLew
Police intervene protesters as demonstrators protest the bill on 'transparency of foreign influence' in front of the parliament in Tbilisi. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images
Georgia police accused of beating protesters against ‘foreign influence’ bill
Daniel Boffey
Riot police armed with water cannon and teargas have been accused of beating protesters who picketed outside Georgia’s parliament to try to stop a final vote on a controversial “foreign influence” law.
The fresh scenes of violence on Monday morning came as hundreds of masked officers charged down demonstrators who had been attempting to block off access to the parliament in the capital, Tbilisi.
Dimitri Chikovani, who was severely beaten by five men near his apartment building entrance in Tbilisi’s Sololaki district last Wednesday evening, said he had also received threatening phone calls.
Speaking to the Guardian after his release from hospital, Chikovani, who suffered fractured cheek bones and a broken nose, said he believed the government was behind the attacks.
He said: “The point is to make people fear them. But if I may add, it’s pointless and useless. Because people of Georgia, they have spoken, they have decided that the European way, the western civilisation, is the way of Georgia. Georgian Dream won’t stop it. We will protest until Georgian Dream stands back and stops the law.”
EU condemns 'intimidation, threats and physical assaults' in Georgia
Speaking at a press briefing, a spokesperson for the EU’s chief diplomat Josep Borrell reiterated concern about the situation in Georgia, where pro-western protesters have continued to face a violent crackdown.
“We strongly condemn acts of intimidation, threats and physical assaults against the protesters, against civil society activists, against politicians and against journalists and media workers,” the spokesperson said, pointing to “brutal actions” overnight.
“We call on the authorities to ensure the right to protest,” he said. “We call on the authorities to investigate properly… and we expect that those responsible for it will be brought to justice.”
The European Union and the member states are watching the situation “closely,” he said.
But he also said that “we are not there yet” on sanctions.
“Georgia, after all, is a candidate country – and we again, we hope, we expect and we call on authorities to go back to the European path.”
A demonstrator wears a national flag as she argues with the police that blocked the road towards the Parliament building during an opposition protest against "the Russian law" in the center of Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, May 13. Photograph: Shakh Aivazov/AP