Borrell criticizes Georgia for using force against protesters
EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell (Photo: RBC-Ukraine, Vitalii Nosach)
Georgia is a candidate country for accession to the European Union (EU) and must ensure the right to peaceful assembly for its citizens, stated the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell.
"I strongly condemn the violence against protesters in Georgia who were peacefully demonstrating against the law on foreign influence. Georgia is an EU candidate country, I call on its authorities to ensure the right to peaceful assembly. Use of force to suppress it is unacceptable," Borrell said.
Protests in Georgia
Protests have resumed in Georgia over the parliament's intention to adopt a bill on "foreign agents." This move has also sparked outrage from the European Union and NATO previously. Official figures have warned Tbilisi that the law could obstruct Georgia's path to the EU.
In mid-April, the Georgian parliament, during the first reading, supported the aforementioned bill. Yesterday, April 30, protests erupted again in the country, eventually escalating into law enforcement clashes. Currently, it is known that 63 citizens were detained during the rallies. Precisely, 6 police officers were injured.
