Representatives of Human Rights Watch: EU condemns repressive actions, but it's time for decisive steps - Georgian authorities and diplomats should consider introducing Schengen visa requirements

The European Union has condemned the repressive actions of the authorities, but the time has come to take decisive steps - Iskra Kirova, Director of Interest Protection of the Europe and Central Asia Division of Human Rights Watch, and Giorgi Gogia, Associate Director, issued a joint statement about this.

"The EU foreign ministers, who will meet on December 16 to discuss the issue of Georgia, should demand an independent investigation into the suppression of peaceful anti-government protests in the country, which has been going on for the second week. Also, EU ministers should impose sanctions on those officials who are responsible for violent actions against the demonstrators. Against the backdrop of the political and constitutional crisis created in the country, the government's strict response against the protests creates a threat of a human rights crisis in Georgia," the statement said.

The authors of the statement note that the European Union should punish those responsible for the violence and also impose visa restrictions on government officials.

"EU member states must reach a consensus to use the EU's global human rights sanctions regime against officials responsible for beating and using violence against protesters in Georgia." Also, the European Union should consider introducing Schengen visa requirements for Georgian government officials and diplomats. The imposition of sanctions against the government should be done in parallel with the enhanced support of the civil society and the media," the statement said.