Students of various Georgian universities today announced a manifesto, calling the October 26 elections illegitimate and demanding re-elections in Georgia.
The manifesto states that they do not recognize the parliament formed according to the results of the October 26 elections as legitimate.
“We, Georgian students, join the common public protest and condemn the systematic falsification of the October 2024 elections by Georgian Dream, which is against the principles of democracy and deals a significant blow to the state constitution, interests and reputation at the international level.
“The facts of the government’s gross interference in education issues: discriminatory and selective decisions in the process of granting authorization to educational institutions and the imposition of censorship in the teaching part are seen as an attack on education- against the background of ‘Russian’ and censorship laws and other repressive actions infringing rights and freedoms, the fact of systematic election fraud is revealed by Georgian Dream and is a gross form of state capture attempt.
“Quality and full-fledged education is our right. The state belongs to the people, and no one has the right to usurp the government. If the government does not respond to our will, we have the constitutional right to change it through protest.
“Students of Georgia, realizing our responsibility to the motherland and the nation, continue the struggle for freedom and independence that started before us.
“A historical choice has been made: Georgia has always chosen and continues to choose Europe, progress and development. We are committed to this choice. We support all non-violent forms of protest and call students to unite, because the power that can bring about the desired change, the power that can create a decent system, is within us.
“We are not going to give up the freedom of our country. Students of Georgia, as citizens of Georgia, remain loyal to democratic values and state interests. We do not recognize the conducted elections and the parliament formed according to the results of these elections as legitimate, and we are ready to fight to the end for our freedom and the freedom of our country!
“Remember, strength is in unity and victory is inevitable!
“We are fighting for freedom!” – reads the manifesto voiced by the students.
The manifesto is signed by: Ilia University, Tbilisi State Medical University, Tbilisi State University, Agrarian University, Free University, Black Sea International University, Caucasus University, GIPA University, University of Business and Technology, University of Georgia, Kutaisi International University and the Technical University of Georgia.
By Ana Dumbadze
Image: IPN
