Dutch minister calls for suspension of visa-free travel for Georgia amid crackdown

Caspar Veldkamp, the Netherlands’ Minister of Foreign Affairs, has strongly condemned the ongoing violence against protesters, journalists, and the arrests of opposition politicians in Georgia. In a statement on social media, Veldkamp called the actions of the Georgian government “unacceptable” and announced that the Netherlands would push for the European Union to suspend Georgia’s visa-free travel privileges.

“We stand firmly with the Georgian people and their fight for democracy and freedom,” Veldkamp stated. He expressed support for the Baltic states’ initiative to impose individual travel bans on Georgian officials involved in the crackdown and highlighted the importance of using international mechanisms to address the crisis.

Veldkamp also revealed plans to raise the issue at today’s OSCE Ministerial Council in Valletta, calling for the organization’s toolbox to be employed in supporting human rights and democratic principles in Georgia.

This announcement follows a wave of international criticism against the Georgian government, which has faced accusations of using violence to suppress dissent after suspending EU accession negotiations.