21 embassies, int'l organisations condemn today's 'violent attacks' in Tbilisi in a joint statement

The statement reads that those who 'incite or threaten violence or commit violent acts ... should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law'. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.

Agenda.ge, 05 Jul 2021 - 17:07, Tbilisi,Georgia

Twenty-one embassies and international organisations in Georgia have published a joint statement condemning violence in the Georgian capital city of Tbilisi, as well as the 'failure of the government leaders and religious officials' to condemn this violence.

The statement is published by the embassies of Austria, Bulgaria, Estonia, the European Union Monitoring Mission, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, UN system in Georgia, the United States and the EU Delegation to Georgia.

We condemn today’s violent attacks on the civic activists, community members and journalists, as well as the failure of the government leaders and religious officials to condemn this violence.  Participation in peaceful gatherings is a human right guaranteed by Georgia’s Constitution.  Violence is simply unacceptable and cannot be excused", reads the statement.

Right wing activists gathered on Rustaveli Avenue this morning to protest the Tbilisi Pride march scheduled for 6 p.m. today. Later organisers of Tbilisi Pride march  announced their cancellation of the event. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.

The statement also reads that those who 'incite or threaten violence or commit violent acts ... should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law'.   

We call on all Georgia’s leaders and law enforcement to act swiftly to protect those exercising their Constitutional rights to freedom of expression and assembly, to protect journalists exercising freedom of the press, and to publicly condemn violence", reads the statement. 

In addition the British Embassy in Tbilisi posted on its Twitter account: