“Every week we are forced to introduce changes and amendments to the report due to new evidence and the new, brutal steps the regime presents us with. I believe we must call on the member states to impose sanctions as soon as possible, especially on those responsible for the repression and everything we are witnessing in Georgia,” – said MEP Rasa Juknevičienė during an extraordinary meeting of the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI).

According to her, “brave people have been fighting for their rights in the streets for more than 200 days.”

The MEP noted that the activists were also waving EU flags, emphasizing their desire for integration with the European Union.

“First of all, I want to thank our delegation members from Georgia. I think we received more facts and evidence about what is happening in the country. Of course, we welcome the brave people, representatives of thousands, hundreds of thousands, who are still fighting in the streets. It will soon be 200 days since they were out there in the cold winter, fighting for Georgia’s European future, waving EU flags. It seems to me these people are more pro-European than many Europeans themselves. We’re used to our daily democracy and forget how important it is for the Georgian people.

So you are truly amazing people – you are my heroes and the heroes of many Europeans across countries. Your visit is very timely. Yes, tomorrow we will vote on the report. I hope it will pass, as all political groups support it.”

Juknevičienė added that developments in Georgia are unfolding so rapidly and deteriorating so fast that changes to the text of the report are almost needed daily.

"Every week we are forced to introduce changes and amendments to the report due to new evidence and the new, brutal steps the regime presents us with. That’s what worries us the most. I believe we must urge the member states to impose sanctions as soon as possible, especially on those responsible for the repression and everything we are witnessing in Georgia.

In recent days, we received word that the last two remaining strong independent media outlets will likely shut down in the coming days, which would mark the end of free speech. While in Georgia, we wanted to visit Mzia Amaghlobeli in prison and requested permission. We were not allowed.

The only way out of this crisis is new, fair, and free elections. I see no other way. The ‘carrot and stick’ approach that the European Commission is calling for does not work with this regime — and it never will.”