The authorities of Georgia are increasingly departing from democratic standards – wrote the head of EU diplomacy Kaja Kallas and the EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos in a joint statement. They called on the authorities in Tbilisi to retract the recent legal changes that affect the freedoms of speech, assembly, and media.

Kos and Kallas, who is also Vice-President of the European Commission, noted the “hasty” adoption in Georgia of amendments to the Code of Administrative Offenses, the Criminal Code, and the Law on Assemblies and Demonstrations.

In their opinion, the legal changes will have far-reaching consequences for Georgian society, “significantly undermining” the rights to freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and freedom of the media.

“These events signify a serious step back for Georgia’s democratic development. (…) We call on the authorities to suspend these measures, refrain from further tensions, and await the opinion of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, in line with the request of the Ombudsman” – the statement reads.

According to Kallas and Kos, the Georgian authorities use intimidation and violence to silence dissenting voices. Peaceful protesters, journalists, and opposition politicians have been targets of attacks.

They also emphasized that the arrest of journalist Mzii Amaglobeli is another example of how the authorities treat journalists and anyone who wants to express their opinions.

“Mzia, who is currently on a hunger strike, is a symbol of the courage of all those unjustly detained. Those responsible for violence must be held accountable. We call on the Georgian authorities to release all journalists, activists, and political prisoners unjustly detained. We urge the authorities to ensure dialogue with all political forces and representatives of civil society,” summarized Kallas and Kos. (02/07/2025)