Tbilisi Mayor and Georgian Dream Secretary General Kakha Kaladze said freedom of speech and expression is protected in Georgia but stressed that it does not include the right to insult or verbally abuse others.
Kaladze made the remarks in response to a statement by the US Embassy in Georgia, which expressed concern over the government’s newly established Hate Speech Unit.
“Today, freedom of speech and expression is protected in this country. I think we all agree that profanity and insults are categorically unacceptable. Whether verbal or physical, insulting someone is not the right way to interact. Even on social media, how can you insult another person? Freedom of speech and expression does not mean swearing at or insulting others. That is a violation of another person’s rights,” Kaladze told reporters.
He added that public discourse should be based on mutual respect, saying political criticism is legitimate but should remain within the bounds of civility rather than descend into insults, profanity, or defamation.
Commenting on relations with the United States, Kaladze said the Georgian government remains optimistic about a reset in bilateral ties.
“We are optimistic. We are ready to begin relations with a clean slate. The attitude of the Biden administration and decisions based on falsehoods and unfair treatment were categorically unacceptable to us. The current Trump administration has the opportunity to easily reverse the previous administration’s unfair approach,” he said.
The US Embassy made its comments in response to a question from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty regarding the detention of individuals accused of insulting politicians on social media and the creation of the Hate Speech Unit.
“We are concerned by the Georgian government’s Hate Speech Unit. The best response to falsehoods and mistaken views is more free speech, not enforced silence,” the embassy said.
