Baltic States announce joint sanctions against Georgian officials

The Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have jointly decided to impose national sanctions on Georgian officials responsible for suppressing protests against the government’s decision to delay the country’s EU accession process. The measures include travel bans targeting individuals involved in human rights violations.

In a statement issued by Estonia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna emphasized the importance of protecting democratic rights. “The people of Georgia have the right to protest in defense of their rights, as their ruling party has been systematically and deceitfully misleading the public for a long time. Citizens have the right to express their opinions through protests. The violence directed against protesters is disproportionate and a violation of human rights,” he said.

The foreign ministers of the three countries also released a joint statement on social media. “The three Baltic States jointly agreed to impose national sanctions against those who suppressed legitimate protests in Georgia. Opponents of democracy & violators of human rights are not welcome in our countries,” the statement read.

The decision comes after violent crackdowns on protesters in Georgia, sparking widespread criticism from international observers and democratic allies. The Baltic nations reaffirmed their commitment to supporting human rights and democratic principles in the region.