Representatives of Georgian civil society are releasing a joint statement

Representatives of Georgian civil society are releasing a joint statement.

In the statement, the representatives of civil society note that the coordinated campaign by “Georgian Dream” and organisations connected with it is bringing the heaviest consequences for the interests of the country and each of its citizens, and for the future of Georgia.

It is noted that in the days of the 18th anniversary of the Russian military aggression against Georgia, the spread of the propagandistic messages and narrative of the occupying country has taken on a particularly large-scale and intensive character.

The representatives of civil society state that the actions of “Georgian Dream” and the accompanying propaganda harm the foundations of Georgian statehood and leave the country unprotected in the face of Russian aggression, which may bring irreversible consequences.

In their opinion, particularly noteworthy and alarming is the use by the leaders of the “Georgian Dream” party of specific terminology characteristic only of Russian propaganda. In particular, they consider completely unacceptable the use and establishment of the term “Russophobia” in the political and public space of Georgia, which is occupied by Russia.

In the joint statement they call on every citizen of Georgia, public groups, political or professional associations to realise the scale of the expected threat.

“We consider it necessary to publicly respond and give a clear answer to the flow of Russian propaganda that is coming from the ‘Georgian Dream’ party and various organisations connected with it. We want to remind the public that this coordinated campaign is bringing the heaviest consequences for the interests of our country and each of its citizens, and for the future of Georgia. In the days of the 18th anniversary of the Russian military aggression against Georgia, the spread of the propagandistic messages and narrative of the occupying country has taken on a particularly large-scale and intensive character. Once again we hear, with the insolence characteristic of total propaganda, the fabricated accusation of Georgia of starting the 2008 war - the war during which the Russian army and so-called volunteers who had illegally invaded Georgia burned and destroyed Georgian villages and settlements and brutally dealt with the peaceful population. Ethnic cleansing and other serious crimes committed by Russian forces against the citizens of Georgia have been established and proven by international courts and tribunals. As a result of the 2008 war, Russia to this day has occupied two regions of Georgia, in violation of all international norms and agreements, including the ceasefire agreement of 12 August 2008 mediated by the European Union. An inseparable part of this propagandistic campaign is the falsification and manipulation of historical facts. Precisely this method was used by Russia for centuries to justify the occupation of Georgia and the destruction of the Georgian state. Naturally, this harmful and unacceptable action contributes to the division of our society and mutual confrontation, and intensifies political radicalisation. Particularly noteworthy and alarming is the use by the leaders of the ‘Georgian Dream’ party of specific terminology characteristic only of Russian propaganda. In particular, we consider completely unacceptable the use and establishment of the term ‘Russophobia’ in the political and public space of Georgia, which is occupied by Russia. All the more, it is categorically unacceptable to use this completely artificial term, invented to justify Russian imperial expansion, against those who oppose and protest the growth of the influence of the occupying country in our country. By reducing the reaction to military aggression, war crimes and gross violations of the principles and norms of international law to an emotional, identity-based ‘hatred,’ propaganda uses ‘Russophobia’ to devalue the well-founded and legitimate resistance of the opponents of the imperial ambitions of Putin’s regime. When considered in a broad context, it is clearly visible that the use by the ‘Georgian Dream’ party of Russian propagandistic messages and terms is neither a one-time nor only a rhetorical phenomenon. It is connected with such serious issues as: - the heaviest backsliding of democracy in Georgia and the sharp degradation of democratic institutions and processes; - the existence of political prisoners, the persecution of people on political grounds, the sharp restriction of civil rights and freedoms; - the disruption of the process of European and Euro-Atlantic integration - the suspension of the policy of European and Euro-Atlantic integration and anti-Western propaganda, isolation from Georgia’s friend countries; - the alarming and deliberate growth of trade, financial and energy dependence on Russia; - a dangerous and thoughtless migration policy, as a result of which, in the absence of corresponding regulations, hundreds of thousands of citizens of Russia have entered and settled in Georgia over the last 5 years; - the large-scale spread of Russian systemic corruption; - the incitement of enmity in Georgian society and the encouragement of polarisation. We consider that these actions of ‘Georgian Dream’ and the accompanying propaganda harm the foundations of Georgian statehood and leave our country unprotected in the face of Russian aggression, which may bring irreversible consequences for our future and the future of our children. We, the citizens and patriots of this country, clearly and unconditionally reject these anti-state, Kremlinist narratives. We call on every citizen of Georgia, public groups, political or professional associations - to realise the scale of the expected threat, not to follow the disinformation and enmity imposed by Russian propaganda, and to stand firmly in defence of our country’s sovereignty, national interests and European future. Today, when the threat is directed against the foundations of our statehood, the alternative-free path for the preservation of Georgia’s free, democratic and Euro-Atlantic choice is the demonstration of civic firmness and unity. It is the duty of us, the citizens and patriots of Georgia, to do everything for the release of political prisoners, for ensuring free and fair elections, for the protection of democratic governance and human rights; everything that will return our country to the European and Euro-Atlantic course and finally free it from Russian occupation and influence,” the statement reads.

Signatories:

1. Giorgi Abulashvili - Founder of the Energy Efficiency Centre, energy expert
2. Nino Amonashvili - Art historian
3. Merab Antadze - Former State Minister of Georgia for Conflict Resolution and Reintegration, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
4. Teona Akubardia - Member of the 10th Convocation of Parliament
5. Nino Babukhadia
6. Giorgi Badridze - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia
7. Tea Bakhtadze - Musician
8. Giorgi Bakhturidze - Professor of the University of Georgia
9. Tamar Balkhamishvili
10. Zurab Batiashvili - Former diplomat
11. Otar Berdzenishvili - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia
12. Giorgi Bilanishvili - Former Director of the Department of External Security Issues of the Apparatus of the State Security and Crisis Management Council
13. Lasha Bregvadze
14. Levan Brodzeli - Real estate appraiser
15. Giorgi Buachidze - Former diplomat
16. Mzia Gabunia
17. Eka Gigauri - Executive Director of Transparency International – Georgia
18. Gigi Gigiadze - Senior Researcher of the Economic Policy Research Centre
19. Nikoloz (Nukri) Gogitidze - Major General of the Justice Reserve
20. Lela Giorgadze - Historian
21. Irma Gordeladze - Chairperson of the environmental community organisation “Eko”
22. Nino Gorgodze - Specialist in international relations
23. Mari Gulbiani - Film director
24. Kristine Darchia
25. Mikheil Darchiashvili - Former Deputy Minister of Defence of Georgia, 2013–2014; Atlantic Council of Georgia
26. Teona Dolenjashvili - Writer
27. Nino Evgenidze - Executive Director of the Economic Policy Research Centre
28. Zurab Eristavi - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia
29. Merab Vashakidze - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
30. Levan Vateishvili - Designer
31. Ketevan Topadze - Teacher, American Academy in Tbilisi
32. Tornike Turmanidze - Professor of Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University
33. Tamar Kalandadze - Director
34. Giorgi Kaladze
35. Irine Kasrashvili
36. Mariam Kikacheishvili - “Books in Vake”, “Bookmark”
37. Tamar Kintsurashvili - Media Development Foundation
38. Mamuka Komakhia - Researcher of the Rondeli Foundation
39. Levan Kvashali
40. Nestan Kvinikadze - Writer
41. Irakli Laitadze - Professor of Ilia State University
42. Nino Laghidze - Founder of the Centre for Environmental Education and Personal Growth “Limpopo”
43. Tina Laghidze - Actress
44. Shalva Lomidze - Head of the Intelligence Service of Georgia, 2021–2024; Major General of the Reserve
45. Nata Lomouri - PEN Centre of Georgia
46. Ekaterine Megrelishvili - Former diplomat
47. Ekaterine Metreveli - President of the Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies
48. Davit Meshveliani - Former diplomat
49. Levan Mizandari - Composer, researcher, invited lecturer of Tbilisi State University
50. Avtandil Mikatadze - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
51. Malkhaz Mikeladze - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia
52. Eka Moniava - Art manager
53. Giorgi Muchaidze - Former Deputy Minister of Defence of Georgia
54. Giorgi Mshvenieradze - Lawyer
55. Tamar Mchedlishvili - Doctor
56. Elene Nizharadze
57. Giorgi Oniani - Transparency International – Georgia
58. Lali Pertenava - President of AICA Georgia
59. Tamar Zhvania - Assistant Professor of the Tbilisi State Conservatoire
60. Nino Zhvania - Associate Professor of the Tbilisi State Conservatoire
61. Otar Revishvili - Co-founder of the Civil Movement for Freedom
62. Nikoloz Rtvliashvili - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia
63. Ana Riaboshenko - Culture for Democracy
64. Gela Sekhniashvili - Former Ambassador of Georgia to Argentina
65. Vasil (Dato) Sikharulidze - Former Minister of Defence of Georgia, former Ambassador of Georgia to the USA, Canada and Mexico
66. Leonide Sikharulidze - Associate Professor of Alte University and the University of Georgia, former Military Representative of Georgia to NATO, former Chairman of the Department of Strategic Planning and Military Policy
67. Nino Slepchenko - Artist-designer
68. Besik Solomanashvili - Writer, director
69. Nino Suramelashvili (Rati Ratiani) - Writer
70. Eliso Skhulukhia
71. Mzia Tabatadze - Master of Public Health
72. Mikheil Ukleba - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia
73. Tornike Farulava - Diplomat
74. Irakli Pipia - Anthropologist, lecturer
75. Nino Pipia - Former diplomat
76. Mirian Fofkhadze - Senior Researcher of the Delphi Global Research Centre
77. Irakli Forchkidze - Former Deputy Minister of Reintegration of Georgia, Georgian Institute of Strategic Studies
78. Tea Karchava - Former diplomat
79. Tato Kelbakiani - Director of the organisation “Prevention for Progress”
80. Davit Kvatadze
81. Mariam Kvatadze
82. Giorgi Kobelashvili - Former diplomat
83. Nata Koridze - Former diplomat
84. Nino Kvavilashvili - Founder of Gallery 27, artist
85. Giorgi Kvelashvili - Former diplomat
86. Eter Shavgulidze - President of the Union of Art Workers “Kadon”
87. Tamar Shavgulidze - Director
88. Mariam Sharia - Doctoral student of the Faculty of Economics and Business of Tbilisi State University, invited lecturer of Alte University
89. Nino Sharvashidze - Doctor of Educational Sciences, translator and invited lecturer of Tbilisi State University
90. Davit Shughliashvili
91. Nino Chachava - Former diplomat
92. Tamar Chachibaia - Former diplomat
93. Inga Chakhvashvili - Journalist
94. Giorgi Chkheidze - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
95. Mariam Chkheidze - Active member of the Association of Lawyers, lawyer specialised in criminal law; Anti-Crisis Platform
96. Shalva Tsiskarashvili - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia
97. Aleko Tskitishvili - Executive Director of the Human Rights Centre
98. Karlo Tskitishvili - Specialist in international relations
99. Mamuka Tsutskiridze - Artist
100. Lasha Dzebisashvili - Professor of the University of Georgia
101. Giorgi Tsikarishvili - Former diplomat
102. Manuchar Tsotsonava - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
103. Maia Chilashvili
104. Davit Chipashvili - Green Alternative
105. Eteri Chkadua - Artist
106. Zviad Chumburidze - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia
107. Nodar Kharshiladze - Georgian Centre for Strategic Analysis
108. Teo Khatiashvili - Professor of Ilia State University
109. Nikoloz Khatiashvili - Former Head of the Apparatus of the Foreign Relations Committee of Parliament, diplomat
110. Maka Kvadagiani - Former diplomat
111. Tinatin Khidasheli - Former Minister of Defence of Georgia
112. Gocha Javakhishvili - Former Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to France and Monaco
113. Temur Janjalia - Former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia
114. Gia Japaridze - Professor of the University of Georgia, diplomat
115. Meri Japaridze - Lawyer
116. Ia Jakeli - Homemaker
117. Gvantsa Jobava - Publisher, Publishing House “Intelekti”