We strongly condemn the violence unleashed against peaceful protesters – there is no place for tear gas, rubber bullets, water cannons, beatings and mass arrests on the streets of Tbilisi, – this is stated in a joint statement issued by the Co-Chair of the US Helsinki Commission, Senator Ben Cardin, member, Senator Roger Wicker and Senator John Cornyn regarding the current events in Georgia.
They claim that the move by the Georgian Dream to abandon EU accession negotiations is a complete betrayal of the absolute desire of the Georgian people to accept European values and institutions.
“The Georgian Dream’s move to abandon European Union membership negotiations is a profound betrayal of the Georgian people’s clear and overwhelming desire to embrace European values and institutions. This is not the conduct of a government committed to democratic reforms and pluralism but of an insecure regime dragging Georgia toward Russian-style autocracy. These actions flagrantly violate international democratic norms and undermine the legitimate aspirations of the Georgian people.
“We strongly condemn the violence unleashed against peaceful protesters – tear gas, rubber bullets, water cannons, beatings, and mass arrests have no place on the streets of Tbilisi. Georgian authorities responsible for human rights abuses and the erosion of democratic principles must face accountability from their own people and the international community. The Georgian people’s sacrifices for Euro-Atlantic integration demand our continued solidarity and action,” the statement said.
