Ambassadors of 25 EU countries call on Georgian government to uphold rule of law following July 5 events
The letter also reiterated that Georgia and EU countries ‘share a commitment to the universality and indivisibility of human rights for all.’ Photo: Nino Alavidze/ Agenda.ge.
Tweet 
Share
Ambassadors of 25 EU countries have called on the Georgian government ‘to uphold the rule of law and to act in effective prevention of any future attempts at such criminal acts,’ following the violent events of July 5, where right-wing protesters attacked and assaulted journalists at the Tbilisi Pride counter rally, removed the EU flag twice from its position in front of parliament and burnt it.
The statement was addressed to Interior Minister of Georgia Vakhtang Gomelauri and called for immediate and appropriate political and legal actions, noting that the recent events ‘cast a shadow over EU-Georgia relations.’
EU Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell has tweeted:
Letter addressed to the Government of Georgia by EU Heads of Mission on the Pride events of 5 July and their follow-up.
— Carl Hartzell (@CarlHartzellEU) July 15, 2021
We call for immediate and appropriate political and legal actions.
➡️ https://t.co/TbC7JJM9jt pic.twitter.com/Z8Xoz4gkbx
The counter-demonstrators conducted organised violence targeting civic activists and journalists. Physical infringements on the safety of both groups were alarming. We recall in this context that journalists must be able to carry out their job safely and securely in any democracy. Violence is unacceptable and can never be excused,” said the statement.
The ambassadors of 25 EU countries expressed their condolences over the death of TV Pirveli cameraman Lekso Lashkarava and noted that they will wait for the results of the investigation.
We regret that the authorities did not call publicly for the protection of those peacefully marking Pride events, take other necessary actions to prevent or deter hate driven speech or, in the end, provide sufficient protection as violent acts against activists and journalists were carried out,” reads the letter.
Ambassador of the Netherlands to Georgia Maaike van Koldam has also tweeted:
Joint letter by the EU Heads of Mission on the Pride events of 5 July and their follow-up: https://t.co/vITPGldyPk
— Maaike van Koldam (@MaaikevanKoldam) July 15, 2021
The letter also reiterated that Georgia and EU countries ‘share a commitment to the universality and indivisibility of human rights for all.’
We share a fundamental belief in upholding every citizen’s constitutional right to the freedom of expression and assembly and the freedom of the media. These shared values are enshrined in the EU-Georgia Association Agreement and the European Convention on Human Rights. They unite us and make us proud, but also oblige us to take action in their defence and to protect the most vulnerable persons in our societies,” said in the statement.
Ambassador of France to Georgia Diego Colas tweeted:
A joint letter of EU heads of missions on the Pride events of July 5. https://t.co/o8xfyx7wwd
— Diégo Colas (@ColasDiego) July 15, 2021
Ambassadors also noted with alarm the fact of desecration of the EU flag outside of the Georgian parliament.
This flag represents the fundamental values on which the European Union and EU-Georgia relations are built. The attacks on the flag on two occasions are, therefore, also direct attacks on Georgia’s democratic and pro-European aspirations,” reads the letter.
- Georgian Parliament Speaker raises EU flag in front of parliament after right-wing groups burned one last night
- EU Commissioner Varhelyi expresses gratitude to Georgian parliament for returning EU flag ‘to its place’
A total of 53 journalists were attacked and injured at the Tbilisi Pride counter rally.
In total 23 people have been detained for the violent events of July 5.
US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan says that the authorities are responsible for providing a peaceful environment for citizens to exercise their constitutional rights, including the right to assembly, the right to freedom of expression and the right for journalists to practice their profession in a safe environment.
Foreign embassies in Georgia and international organisations have sent condolences to the Georgian public following the death of TV Pirveli cameraman Lekso Lashkarava, who was beaten up by Tbilisi Pride counter demonstrators on July 5.
Following the death of TV Pirveli cameraman Lekso Lashkarava earlier today, 19 NGOs have demanded the immediate resignation of Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia Vakhtang Gomelauri, due to ‘the severe consequences of the violence on July 5. TV Pirveli cameraman Lashkarava was attacked on July 5 by Tbilisi Pride counter protesters.
Journalists, civil activists and politicians have gathered in front of the parliament building in downtown Tbilisi to pay tribute to the late TV Pirveli cameraman Lekso Lashkarava and demand Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili’s resignation.
European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi has met with Georgian Parliament Speaker Kakha Kuchava earlier today and expressed gratitude to the parliament of Georgia for returning the EU flag ‘to its place’ after right-wing protesters burnt it earlier on July 6.
State officials, current and former diplomats and media rights organisations have been reacting to the developments in Tbilisi on Monday, where a right-wing demonstration against a planned Tbilisi Pride march for queer rights attacked reporters gathered to cover the eventually cancelled event before also storming offices of Pride organisers.
Former US ambassadors to Georgia William Courtney and Kenneth Ialovich have responded to the death of TV Pirveli cameraman Lekso Lashkarava and noted that the accusation of a drug overdose as the possible reason behind his death is a tactic used by autocratic governments. Lashkarava was violently attacked by right-wing counter protesters of the Tbilisi Pride march on July 5 and found dead at home later on July 11.
“We are a sovereign and independent state. We are doing everything, and we are a distinguished star among the EU Eastern Partnership states, with our reforms, achievements”, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has told journalists today. In his comments he has assessed recent political developments in Georgia, country's EU aspirations, media freedom in Georgia, relations with US and recent appointment of Supreme Court judges.
Journalists of various media outlets have held rallies in Tbilisi and Batumi before the start of the Batumi International Conference , stating that they will be in danger while Irakli Garibashvili is the Prime Minister of Georgia.