"I am following with serious concern the reports of disproportionate use of force by the police against predominantly peaceful demonstrators and journalists covering the ongoing protests in Georgia. The authorities must uphold their human rights obligations to respect freedom of peaceful assembly, freedom of expression and media freedom”, said Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O’Flaherty.
“I note that yesterday the Public Defender of Georgia stated that most of the 201 persons visited by his Office in recent days indicated that they had been ill-treated by police, including after their apprehension. Most had serious injuries to the face, eyes, and head, which indicates disproportionate use of force. The alert of 29 November on the Council of Europe Platform for the Protection of Journalists reported that at least 35 journalists and media workers had been subject to verbal and physical assaults and obstruction in their professional duties.
While acts of violence by some protesters have occurred, they do not justify excessive force by police. Concerning the reported widespread use of water cannons and pepper spray against peaceful demonstrators, I stress that force, if used, must be a last resort and must meet strict standards of necessity and proportionality. Dispersal should also only be used as a last resort, following appropriate de-escalation efforts. Peaceful demonstrators must retain their right to assemble freely.
I note that the Special Investigation Service has opened an investigation into the alleged actions of law enforcement officers exceeding their authority. It is important that all allegations of abuse and criminal acts by law enforcement officers be proactively investigated, and that all responsible are held to account. Furthermore, all law enforcement officers should wear or display proper forms of identification to facilitate the prosecution and sanctioning of perpetrators of abuse, as stipulated by applicable international human rights standards.
I ask the Georgian authorities to immediately release all those individuals who are detained for the legitimate exercise of their right to demonstrate peacefully, and to fulfill their obligation to ensure that journalists can report on public assemblies freely and safely. I will continue to observe the situation closely and to raise these issues with the Georgian authorities”.