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A call to action to all friends of Georgia
The pace of events following the parliamentary elections in Georgia on October 26th 2024, has stunned both Georgian society and global observers. The vote, marred by intimidation, vote-buying, abuse of state resources, and another fraudulent tactics, has plunged the country into a deep political crisis.
In open defiance of both public will and the Georgian constitution, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced the suspension of Georgia’s pursuit of EU accession until 2028. Georgians rightly view this as a geopolitical declaration by the Georgian Dream organization — a decision that turns the country distant from the values of the European Union and towards greater autocracy and Russia’s influence.
In fresh weeks, Georgians from all walks of life have taken to the streets in peaceful protest, demanding accountability and defending their European future. While demonstrations have been concentrated on Tbilisi’s Rustaveli Avenue, they have besides spread across the country, uniting towns, villages, and communities.
The government’s consequence has been brutal. Some 500 peaceful protesters have been arrested in crackdowns marked by arbitrary detentions, disproportionate force, and credible reports of torture. Journalists have been specifically targeted, and civilian society representatives have been abducted far from protest sites. Police have stood by while black-clad thugs terrorized the city’s youth. State force on civilian servants deemed “disloyal” is expanding daily. It is pure luck that no lives have been lost thus far.
Having visited Georgia, New east Europe has heard first-hand accounts of this repression. Protesters bear visible wounds from detention, yet their determination remains steadfast.
The stakes are rising. With sanctions and diplomatic force only beginning to ramp up, time is moving short to show solidarity. Further tensions are inevitable following the parliament’s election of Mikheil Kavelashvili as president and the planned enactment of a Russian-style “foreign agents’ law” in the fresh year. As the crisis deepens, the opposition may shortly rally behind a last stand led by the incumbent president Salome Zourabichvili.
The West’s partnership with Georgia is not based on energy or economical interest but on shared values and the belief in a democratic, brighter future — for Georgia and for Europe.
Now is the time to act. We cannot let Georgia to descend into authoritarian stagnation, enriching only a choice few. The calls for aid beyond the Black Sea are clear. We must answer them.
CALL TO ACTION — SOLIDARITY WITH GEORGIAN SOCIETY
By signing this letter, we express our unwavering solidarity with Georgian society and make the following appeals to leaders, friends, and partners:
- To the global community and friends of Georgia: Share this open letter widely and amplify the voices of Georgian society;
- To the Georgian authorities: Immediately end the arrests of peaceful protesters and release all individuals unjustly detained;
- To policymakers in Western countries: Increase force on Georgian authorities to prosecute a peaceful resolution that aligns with public expectations, including the option of snap elections;
- To Western leaders: Travel to Georgia in a show of solidarity, meet with representatives of all sides, and actively encourage a peaceful, democratic resolution;
- To citizens of the world: Support Georgian society’s conflict for freedom by donating to organizations providing aid and resources. A list of trusted charities and initiatives can be found here.
This is simply a call for action, solidarity, and hope. Georgia’s fight for freedom is our fight as well.
This letter was prepared by the Editorial squad of New east Europe, and signed by the following signatories:
New east Europe Publisher, Editorial Board and Editors:
Laurynas Vaičiūnas, manager of the Jan Nowak-Jeziorański College of east Europe in Wrocław, publisher of New east Europe
Basil Kerski, manager of the European Solidarity Centre, publishing partner of New east Europe
Georges Mink, College of Europe in Natolin
Rebecca Harms, erstwhile associate of the European Parliament, Advisory Board of Center for Liberal Modernity
Cornelius Ochmann, Foundation for Polish-German Cooperation
Mykola Riabchuk, Honorary president of the Ukrainian PEN Center
Eugeniusz Smolar, Centre for global Relations Foundation
Jan Zielonka, Emeritus Fellow, University of Oxford
Adam Reichardt, Editor in Chief, New east Europe
Iwona Reichardt, Deputy Editor in Chief, New east Europe
Daniel Gleichgewicht, Editor, New east Europe
Giorgi Beroshvili, Editorial Assistant, New east Europe
First signatories:
Gian-Paolo Accardo, Voxeurop.eu
Jan Claas Behrends, ZZF/ Viadrina University
Janusz Bugajski, Jamestown Foundation
Krzysztof Czyżewski, Borderland Foundation
Sabine Fischer, Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik Berlin
Pavel Havlicek, investigation Fellow at the Association for global Affairs (AMO) in Prague
Marcel H. Van Herpen, The Cicero Foundation
Tomasz Kamusella, University of St Andrews
Robert Kindler, Freie Universität Berlin
Matthew Kott, Uppsala University
Alexander Lanoszka, University of Waterloo and the College of Europe, Natolin
Mirja Lecke, Prof. Dr. Slavic Studies, University of Regensburg, Germany
David Marples, University of Alberta, Canada
Mariusz Maszkiewicz, erstwhile Polish ambassador to Georgia
Markus Meckel, SDPZ
Igor Mitchnik, Austausch e.V.
James Nixey, Chatham House
Oliver Reisner, Ilia State University Tbilisi
Andreas Umland, Stockholm Centre for east European Studies
Prof. Dr. Matthias Theodor Vogt, Institut für kulturelle Infrastruktur Sachsen
Additional signatures (added regularly as fresh names sign on)
Eleanor Hammond, economical Fundamentals Initiative
ariel rosé, poet
Magdalena Jankowska
Vitalii Rishko, Coordinator of the Ukraine Programme at Global Governance Institute (GGI)
Daniel R. Jarosak
Kamila Łabno-Hajduk, Uniwersytet Komisji Edukacji Narodowej w Krakowie
Martin Aust, University of Bonn
Professor Tomasz Tadeusz Koncewicz, University of Gdansk, Poland
Nicholas Whyte erstwhile Europe Director, global Crisis Group; Visiting Professor, Ulster University
Mark Temnycky, Atlantic Council
Georgii Kalakutskii, Human Rights Advocate
Nina Panikova
Iveri Kekenadze Gustafsson, Lund University, Sweden
Alessia Carrino
Mirjam Schmitz
Megan
Dafne Gotink, Writer
Miguel Carvalho
Arkadiusz Zając, Zakład Ukrainistyki UJ
