17 western nations condemn Georgian Gov’t’s handling of protests, rights violations

A group of Western nations has criticized Georgia’s ruling party, Georgian Dream, for its alleged crackdown on peaceful protests and opposition voices. The statement, delivered to the OSCE Permanent Council by the Netherlands, represents Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Romania, Sweden, the UK, the US, and the Netherlands.

The coalition expressed deep concern over what it described as excessive violence and arbitrary arrests targeting critics of the government. The statement accused Georgian authorities of undermining fundamental freedoms such as the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.

The group called for the immediate release of protesters, journalists, and opposition figures detained during demonstrations and urged accountability for any unlawful use of force. “We strongly condemn the use of repressive tactics to silence dissent,” the statement noted.
While reaffirming their support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, the countries emphasized the need for Tbilisi to align with its commitments under international agreements. They urged the Georgian government to take steps toward EU integration, reflecting the aspirations of most Georgian citizens.

The statement concluded with a pledge to continue supporting Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic goals and to explore further actions within the OSCE framework if concerns persist.