Day: December 13, 2024

On December 13, Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili held a briefing condemning tomorrow’s presidential election by the GD electoral college as “illegitimate.” She also called upon Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze to move the planned turning on of the Christmas Tree on Rustaveli Avenue.

Zurabishvili said the new president’s “illegitimate, unconstitutional” elections are scheduled for December 14, which she called “a travesty” that “has no connection with any political process.” President Zurabishvili said this was an insult to Georgian traditions, history, and culture and that it was “unacceptable.”

President Zurabishvili also said it would be more logical to move the Christmas ceremony away from the area adjacent to the Parliament since the massive use of tear gas by the police has contaminated the area, which, according to some doctors, may not be safe for small children. President said it was “provocative” to schedule the Christmas event right after the “illegitimate” elections, implying that the decision was taken on purpose to impede protest or artificially create confrontation between the protesters and the Christmas-goers. She proposed moving the Christmas ceremony to December 17 and said any incident that may occur unless this request is met would be the mayor’s sole responsibility.

She emphasized that more and more people are taking to the streets in protest all over Georgia, but also abroad, and pointed out the mounting discontent of the civil servants, which, the President argued, was met by the GD Parliament adopting a “repressive” amendment to the Civil Service Law.

Zurabishvili stressed that GD would fail in intimidating people united by a shared aspiration for the country’s European future. She repeated that the protest demanded new parliamentary elections as the only peaceful way to resolve the political crisis.

Finally, President Zurabishvili expressed her determination to remain in the country as “the only [remaining] legitimate institution.”

Also Read:

• 13/12/2024 – GD Parliament Revokes President Zurabishvili’s Right to Protection After End of Her Term
• 10/12/2024 – President Urges International Action Amidst State-Sponsored Violence, Honors Journalists

Georgia crisis deepens as govt set to install far-right president  NBC Right Now

People’s Power leaves the parliamentary majority and joins the opposition. via ⁦@ipnEng⁩ 👀 https://t.co/negkTriSX7

— Notes from Georgia/South Caucasus (Hälbig, Ralph) (@SouthCaucasus) December 13, 2024

Egg prices in the United States have surged by 35% in just six months. In May, a dozen eggs cost an average of $2.70, while by November, the price had risen to $3.65, Azernews reports.

Armenia to have liaison officer at Europol for fast and secure exchange of information  Armenpress

On December 13, the Public Defender of Georgia condemned the legislation that the rump GD parliament has rushed through, saying it does not meet human rights standards and is being adopted without due consultation.

Specifically, concerning the amendments to the Civil Service Law, the Public Defender noted that the new rules of dismissal “due to reorganization” do not foresee adequate mechanisms of redress and reinstatement. The amendments simplify “reorganization” – one of the most quoted formal reasons for getting rid of unwanted cadre – shorten the deadlines and remove most redress mechanisms. This amendment was rushed through after hundreds of civil servants supported Georgia’s EU aspirations. GD leadership responded that the civil service was thus “self-cleansing.”

Public Defender also pointed to the amendments stipulating that the heads of government departments and their deputies will no longer be civil servants but “appointed by administrative contracts,” i.e., political appointees. Ioseliani noted that this reduces labor protection and contradicts the principles of career-based, professional civil service stipulated by the Law.

The Public Defender also addressed the prohibition of wearing masks during assemblies, noting that while covering one’s face during public meetings is forbidden in many Western countries, this prohibition shall be conditional, following international human rights standards and national legislation. “It is important in this case that the legislation maintains a balance between freedom of expression and security interests,” the Ombudsman says.

Finally, the Ombudsman noted that the amendments to the Administrative Code significantly increase the fines and also prescribe imprisonment for some violations, which may impose an undue, heavy burden.

Also Read:

• 13/12/2024 – SJC Slams Draft Amendments to Public Service Law
• 09/12/2024 – GD Ostensibly Moves to Simplify Firing Civil Servants
• 02/12/2024  Kobakhidze Alludes to Purges, Says Civil Service is “Self-Cleansing”

On December 13, members of the International Press Institute (IPI) global network and its Central and Eastern Europe independent media network, issued a strong condemnation of the targeted violent attacks on journalists during the ongoing protests in Georgia. They have expressed grave concern over the increasing violence against journalists, “both by state security forces and private individuals”, and highlighted the serious implications for press freedom and democratic processes in the country.

In a joint statement, IPI expressed solidarity with journalists who continue their essential work in increasingly hostile and dangerous conditions. “Since November 28, at least 90 journalists have faced physical assault, verbal abuse, or obstruction as police violently dispersed the protests. Most of the injured journalists represent independent and government-critical outlets based in the capital, Tbilisi”, the statement says. It adds: “At the same time, government smear campaigns to discredit independent journalism have continued unabated.”

IPI highlights the deteriorating media environment in Georgia, where legal and institutional mechanisms are reportedly being weaponized to target and silence critical voices. Despite these challenges, the IPI praises the resilience of Georgia’s free media, describing their work as “indispensable, not only for informing Georgia’s public, but also the world, of the unfolding events.”

“Despite these grave circumstances, we are inspired by the bravery and resilience of Georgia’s free media. Your work is vital, and your courage is an inspiration to us. Once again, we stand in full solidarity with you,” the statement concluded.

The joint statement is signed by 80 members of the network.

Also Read:

• 04/12/2024 – International Press Groups Demand Immediate Action Amid Journalist Assaults in Tbilisi

I think the wine industry did too. ❤️

— Sir David Crossley (@dccrossley) December 13, 2024

The EU should act now to sanction the violent regime in #Georgia. Where is the geopolitical EU that understands the importance of its neighbours? ask a group of European foreign policy experts. via ⁦⁦@Euractiv⁩ https://t.co/lQoYdOPIyn

— Notes from Georgia/South Caucasus (Hälbig, Ralph) (@SouthCaucasus) December 13, 2024

Barda will become a center for the promotion of national dance art, bringing together groups from four regions of the country – Ganja, Lankaran, Agjabedi and Khachmaz, Azernews reports.