On behalf of the “Democracy Schools Alumni Association”, we hereby urge all individuals who uphold the principles enshrined in the Constitution of Georgia, as well as those who champion the rule of law and human rights, to denounce the acts of violence and the individuals responsible for them. The use of hateful rhetoric by these individuals fosters an atmosphere of hostility, leading to the fragmentation and polarization of social groups.

The current government of Georgia has made violence and orchestrated assaults its calling card. The government’s responsibility to protect the welfare and safety of its citizens extends to protecting their right to engage in activities and freely express themselves without the fear of physical harm. Nonetheless, the recent surge of violent incidents and the inadequate response to them give rise to suspicions that these frequent attacks are not only encouraged but also orchestrated, with direct involvement from government representatives. For example, the attack on young people by violent groups in Borjomi, the physical retaliation against students at Tbilisi State University, the targeted persecution of Levan Berdzenishvili, instances of attacks on representatives from opposition parties and critical media outlets, the restriction of freedom of speech and expression, and the imposition of censorship within the cultural sphere, notably impinging upon the autonomy of Georgian cinema and museums, not only stand in stark contradiction to democratic governance but also regressively bring us back to the Soviet dictatorship of bygone decades. Each of these facts stirs up polarization, grounds for political revenge and hatred between public groups, which excludes the construction of a robust, free, democratic, European society and, most importantly, runs counter to the best interests of Georgia.

We call on the Government of Georgia to acknowledge its responsibility in fostering a secure and inclusive socio-political environment, wherein censorship finds no place and every individual is assured the freedom to express their opinions without compromising the privacy and inviolability of their family members.

As “Democracy Schools Alumni Association”, we are committed to promoting a culture of democracy, mutual respect and dialogue. Education, awareness, and collective efforts are indispensable in this pursuit. The rising wave of violence and hate speech must be countered by the commitment to values, unwavering support for individual or collective targets, and a strong solidarity network.