US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has condemned the Georgian Dream Government for its actions against citizens, protesters, journalists, and opposition figures amid the ongoing protests against the Government’s decision to halt the country’s European integration until 2028 and announced additional sanctions.
“The United States strongly condemns the Georgian Dream party’s brutal and unjustified violence against Georgian citizens, protesters, members of the media, and opposition figures”,Blinken said in a release on Wednesday.
Unlike previous addresses directed at the Georgian government, this statement specifically targets the ruling Georgian Dream party.
“We call on the Georgian Dream to cease its repressive tactics, including its use of arbitrary detention and physical violence, to attempt to silence its critics. We are particularly concerned by reports of serious injuries sustained by people at the hands of law enforcement. Those detained for exercising their human rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression must be released immediately, and officials responsible for the unlawful use of force must be held fully accountable”, he added.
Blinken reaffirmed US solidarity with the Georgian people and their democratic aspirations, emphasizing accountability for those undermining democratic processes and institutions in the country.
He also announced plans for further measures, saying “in addition to continuing our previously announced comprehensive review of bilateral cooperation, the United States is now preparing to use the tools at our disposal, including additional sanctions”.
