In recent months, Georgia has seen a disturbing trend of violent attacks on civic and political activists, raising concerns about the country’s political stability and the upcoming parliamentary elections in October 2024. Human Rights Watch has highlighted the lack of effective investigations by Georgian authorities into these attacks, which has led to impunity for the perpetrators and a potential escalation of political violence.
From late April to June, over a dozen activists were violently attacked by unidentified assailants, resulting in serious injuries that required hospitalization. Most of these attacks took place in public places with witnesses and CCTV cameras nearby, yet the police have failed to identify or arrest any suspects. This lack of accountability is troubling and could embolden further violence in the lead-up to the elections.
Many of the survivors of these attacks had spoken out against the controversial „foreign agent“ law introduced by the ruling Georgian Dream party. This law, which aims to marginalize and discredit NGOs and media critical of the government, has sparked widespread protests and criticism. The law requires organizations receiving 20% or more of their income from foreign sources to register as „organizations serving the interest of a foreign power,“ leading to concerns about restrictions on freedom of expression and association.
Human Rights Watch has documented several of these attacks, including the case of Nikoloz Managadze, a student activist who was violently attacked twice in April and June. Despite filing complaints with the authorities and experiencing a campaign of intimidation through threatening phone calls, Managadze has not seen any progress in the investigations into his attacks. Similar stories of slow and ineffective investigations have been reported by other activists who have been targeted.
The lack of accountability for these attacks is not only a violation of the victims‘ rights but also sends a dangerous message that politically motivated violence is tolerated by the authorities. The Venice Commission, an advisory body of the Council of Europe, has criticized the „foreign agent“ law for its restrictions on freedom of expression and association, calling for its repeal.
Georgian authorities must take urgent action to investigate these attacks thoroughly, hold the perpetrators accountable, and denounce politically motivated violence. Failure to do so not only undermines the rule of law but also jeopardizes the democratic process and the safety of activists and government critics in the country.
In conclusion, the wave of violent attacks on activists in Georgia is a troubling development that requires immediate attention from the authorities. By ensuring accountability for these crimes and upholding the rights of all citizens to express their views without fear of reprisal, Georgia can demonstrate its commitment to democracy and human rights ahead of the upcoming elections.