The rushed adoption of amendments to the Code on Administrative Offences, Criminal Code and the Law on Assemblies and Manifestations will have far-reaching effects on Georgian society - High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas and Commissioner for enlargement Marta Kos released a joint statement on the situation in Georgia.
According to EU high officials, restrictive legislative changes will "significantly undermine the rights to freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, and media freedom".
According to the statements, these developments "mark a serious setback for Georgia's democratic development and falls short of any expectations of an EU candidate country".
"We urge the authorities to suspend these measures, refrain from further tensions, and await the opinion of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), as requested by the Public Defender" - the statement reads.
Kaia Kalas and Marta Kos reach out to Mzia Amaghlobeli, calling her "a symbol of courage of all those unjustly detained".
"The Georgian authorities have resorted to intimidation tactics and violence to silence dissenting voices. Peaceful protesters, journalists, and opposition politicians have been targeted for exercising their fundamental rights. The case of the currently detained journalist Mzia Amaglobeli is yet another such example on how the authorities are treating journalists and anyone who speaks freely. Mzia, currently on hunger strike is a symbol of courage of all those unjustly detained. Those responsible for the violence must be held accountable" - the statement emphasizes.
Kaia Kalas and Marta Kos call on the Georgian authorities to release all journalists, activists and political detainees detained unjustly.
"We urge the authorities to ensure a dialogue with all political forces and representatives of civil society. No option should be excluded to re-establish trust and dialogue. The recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR report on the latest elections should be implemented as a matter of urgency. The European Union remains ready to support all efforts towards a democratic, stable, and European future for Georgia" - the statement concludes.
