Tbilisi, December 2, 2024
Photo: aljazeera.com
Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party won 89 seats in the 150-seat Parliament in the recent elections in October, with 53.95% of the vote.
However, in an attempt to impose its own will on Georgia, the European Parliament adopted a resolution last week condemning the parliamentary elections as undemocratic, demanding a redo under international supervision within a year. The Georgian Dream party, which supports the important role of the Georgian Orthodox Church in the country, is routinely presented in the media as pro-Russian, anti-European, and anti-democratic.
In response to the European Parliament’s decision, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said the government will suspend talks on joining the European Union until 2028 and accused Brussels of “blackmail.”
In response, thousands of protestors have taken to the streets of the capital for several days in a row, with clashes with the police sometimes turning into violence.
As always, the Georgian Orthodox Church has called for peace, and for the people to remember their Orthodox heritage.
In its statement on November 29, the Church notes that while protestors damaged property and tried to enter buildings, police responded with excessive force, including against journalists. The statement criticizes the increasingly common pattern of political polarization and aggression in Georgian society, calling on both protesters and authorities to show restraint, respect differing views, and express disagreements peacefully in line with Christian values and principles.
The events that unfolded at dawn on November 29th of this year on Rustaveli Avenue in the capital cause us great concern and distress.
Despite explanations from government representatives, both yesterday and today, that Georgia is not deviating from its European course and is not rejecting European values, these explanations proved insufficient and unconvincing for part of society. As a result, a peaceful demonstration gradually escalated into physical confrontation between law enforcement representatives and protest participants.
Numerous media footage shows protesters confronting police officers, attempting to break into buildings, and damaging infrastructure. In turn, we witnessed aggressive actions from law enforcement. They physically assaulted protest participants of various ages, including journalists, whose primary professional duty is to document facts and distribute objective information.
It’s unfortunate that today, as in recent years, this picture remains unchanged. A grave scenario periodically unfolds before our eyes. The categorical rejection of others by individuals and political parties, radical attitudes due to different opinions and positions, aggression, and discord have become commonplace.
Alongside all this, the Orthodox Church has always called and continues to call for restraint and mutual respect among people, regardless of differences of opinion, different political views, or courses. Members of society should still be oriented towards maintaining peace, so as not to cross the line.
We call upon both the authorities and law enforcement representatives, as well as all other members of society who actively express their protest, to refrain from aggressive and offensive actions, physical and verbal confrontation. Let us not harm each other due to different opinions and views, and let us be able to express our positions in a much more civil manner.
Such negative attitudes and actions are foreign to the Church’s vision and generally to the Christian spirit. Therefore, we once again call for peace and prudence.
Be at peace, and may the God of peace and love be with you (2 Cor. 3:11).
The Church issued a follow-up statement the next day:
We are deeply saddened that despite the Church’s appeal, the demonstration on Rustaveli Avenue escalated into serious confrontation again on November 30th. The footage distributed in mass media and social networks clearly shows actions that have exceeded the bounds of law and morality.
The current situation causes confrontation and threatens the peaceful coexistence of citizens.
Those standing on both sides are dear to us and we pray for them; we pray for the quick recovery of those who were injured. Furthermore, we once again ask the youth, and protesters in general, to show wisdom and maintain the boundaries of expressing protest; we also ask law enforcement to show maximum patience and not exceed the limits of legal action; it is essential for the state to quickly inform the public about violations and investigations.
No matter how great the value we strive for, we must not forget that humans are made in God’s image and likeness and are the creatures bearing the highest dignity in this world.
We beseech the Most Holy Mother of God to protect Georgia, her inheritance, with peace.
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