Statement
Georgian Authorities Unleash Repressive Wave Against Demonstrators and Artists
Georgia
Georgia’s artistic and civil society under siege amid clampdown on freedom of expression and protest
December 12, 2024
(NEW YORK) – Artists at Risk Connection (ARC) strongly condemns the escalating attacks on freedom of expression and assembly in Georgia, as evidenced by the violent crackdown on peaceful protests over the past week. The protests, which include many artists, writers, and creatives at their forefront, sparked by opposition to the government’s abandonment of EU integration talks and adoption of pro-Russia policies, have been met with excessive police force. ARC calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all artists and creatives who have been unjustly detained.
“The suppression of freedom of expression in Georgia is a grave violation of human rights and democratic principles,” said Julie Trébault, ARC’s Executive Director. “Safeguarding the voices of artists, writers, journalists, and activists is essential during this critical time. We urge the Georgian authorities to uphold the rights to free assembly and expression and to immediately release all individuals unjustly detained for exercising their fundamental freedoms.”
Amid escalating crackdowns over the past week, multiple cases of artists and cultural workers being targeted have emerged, highlighting the Georgian government’s intensifying hostility toward dissenting voices, especially public figures who challenge its policies through creative expression. Local cultural groups, including the Vaso Abashidze State New Theater, have reported the detention of at least three artists. On November 30, the theater posted that actor Giorgi Bakhutashvili was arrested in connection with the protests, with other theater members and spectators experiencing physical intimidation. On December 5, the theatre confirmed that authorities detained actor Andro Chichinadze at his home, and media outlets reported the arrest of comedian Onise Tskhadadze. By December 7, Chichinadze, Tskhadadze, and four others were charged with organizing group violence related to protests on Rustaveli Avenue, facing potential sentences of 4–6 years, with pretrial hearings scheduled for January 19, 2025.
The Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed the detention of 48 individuals on December 6. The crackdown has extended to violent attacks, including a reported assault on actor Giorgi Makharadze by plainclothes security forces, or “titushki,” on December 7. According to rights groups, including Amnesty International, the “persistent and widespread use of unlawful force, police brutality, denial of medical care, and unfair trials reveal a pervasive culture of impunity.”
“Currently, talking about freedom of expression feels meaningless when all human rights are under threat as we are witnessing the state capture and sliding to authoritarianism,” explains Gagosh, a Tbilisi-based visual street artist, to ARC.
The recent introduction of restrictive laws targeting organizations receiving international funding and criminalizing so-called "LGBTQIA+ propaganda" further exacerbates the challenges faced by Georgia's cultural sector. As a global network dedicated to defending artistic freedom, ARC stands in unwavering solidarity with Georgian artists, writers, and cultural workers. Their courage and resilience are a testament to the enduring power of art as a force for resistance and change.
ABOUT ARC:
The Artists at Risk Connection (ARC) is an international organization committed to promoting and advancing the right to artistic freedom worldwide. Founded in 2017, ARC works to protect artists and cultural workers who are at risk because of their creative expression, often connected to their identities or roles within their communities. By providing vital resources and support, ARC helps artists at risk overcome challenges like persecution, censorship, threats, and violence from both state and non-state actors—whether for their artistic expression or the broader impact they have on cultural, social, and political issues.