The initiation of new amendments to the Administrative and Criminal Codes by Ivanishvili’s Parliament represents a direct violation of the fundamental basis of democratic order — the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. Through these changes, the government is attempting to ban any form of protest. The proposed regulations create a legal reality where a citizen can be criminally prosecuted simply for speaking out. Such legislation is alien to the democratic world and is in direct contradiction with the Constitution of Georgia and the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.
This initiative does not concern only politically active groups — it affects every citizen of Georgia who publicly demands justice, expresses outrage over corruption, protests unlawful detention or unfair verdicts, criticizes poor infrastructure or inadequate social support, seeks to protect women or children from violence, raises their voice for environmental protection, and so on.
With these changes, the government is sending the same threat to everyone: If you speak out — you will be imprisoned.
We, the undersigned organizations, view these changes as an attempt to ban peaceful protest and as yet another step in the dismantling of democratic institutions.
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