UNM announces protest rally in November
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Georgia’s largest opposition party will hold a rally in protest of Russian occupation of Georgia’s breakaway Abkhazia region on November 15.
At today’s special briefing, United National Movement (UNM) members said they would never tolerate Abkhazia’s "ethnic cleansing”.
"Because of Russia’s open, brazen and actually de jure annexation attempt of occupied Abkhazia and because the Georgian authorities are doing nothing to push the issue on the international agenda, we have decided to hold a protest rally on Rustaveli Avenue in the capital city, which will aim at making our voice heard to the Georgian authorities, as well as to the international community that Georgia will never tolerate ethnic cleansing in Abkhazia and will never tolerate occupation and annexation of Abkhazia by Russia,” Member of Parliament and executive secretary of UNM, Zurab Japaridze said at the briefing.
Another UNM member David Bakradze said Georgia faced "a huge challenge” which needed a united response from society.
Russia recently offered Abkhazia an agreement on "Alliance and Integration”, which was assessed as a violation of international law by Georgia and the global community.
The "Alliance and Integration” agreement recently offered by Russia to the Abkhazian de facto regime has been assessed by Georgian and German top officials as a continuation of Russia’s annexation policy.
The Parliament of Georgia has adopted a statement condemning Russia’s "attempt to annex occupied Abkhazia” through its new treaty on "alliance and integration” with Sokhumi.
A Kremlin proposed treaty on to enhance the relationship between Russia and Georgia’s breakaway region Abkhazia has been condemned by Georgia’s President Giorgi Margvelashvili.
Georgian authorities condemned the proposed treaty believed such an agreement was a "violation” of the fundamental principles of international law and commitment.
"This document contradicts Abkhazians' 25 year struggle for self-determination, recognition and so-called independence,” says Georgia's Prime Minister about a Kremlin proposed new treaty on ‘Alliance and Integration’ with Georgia’s breakaway region Abkhazia.
The Interior Ministry of Georgia says it will take "all necessary measures” to ensure the safety of those who attend today's protest rally in central Tbilisi.
Several thousand people gathered in central Tbilisi to protest against Russia’s attempt to annex Georgia’s breakaway regions today. The rally "No to Annexation” was organised by opposition United National Movement (UNM).
"The United National Movement (UNM) party failed to fully renew itself after its 2012 defeat, which meant it could not meet society’s needs” – these were the words spoken by Zurab Japaridze, UNM former executive secretary who left the party on Monday with three other high-profile members.