US Helsinki Commission urges sanctions over claims of chemical agents used against protesters in Georgia

The US Helsinki Commission has called on the US government and democratic allies to verify recent allegations that Georgian authorities had used chemical agents against peaceful protesters last year and to impose sanctions on those found responsible.

In a joint statement, the commission described the findings as deeply concerning.

 “It is very troubling that Georgian Dream allegedly used chemical weapons against peaceful protesters last year,” the statement said, noting that the reported chemical exposure caused burns and long-term health complications among demonstrators. According to the commission, such actions would constitute a violation of Georgia’s human rights obligations.

The commission argued that failure to hold officials accountable placed Georgia’s ruling party “in the same camp as corrupt regimes in Russia and China, which fear their own people and will stop at nothing to remain in power.”

“We urge the US government and our democratic allies to verify these reports and impose appropriate sanctions on those responsible,” the statement continued. It also renewed a call for Congress to pass the bipartisan MEGOBARI Act, which would give the State Department additional tools to support “the Georgian people’s struggle for freedom.”