Today, freedom of speech and expression is protected in the country. Freedom of speech and expression does not mean swearing and insulting, - the Secretary General of the Georgian Dream, Mayor of the capital Kakha Kaladze stated in a conversation with journalists.

With this, he responded to the statement of the US Embassy in Georgia, which expressed concern about the newly created department to combat hate speech.

As Kaladze noted, swearing and insulting are a violation of the rights of others.

“Today, freedom of speech and expression is protected in the country. I think we all agree that profanity and insults are categorically unacceptable. Whether verbal or physical abuse, this is not the right form of communication. How can you insult someone, even in the social space? Freedom of speech and expression does not mean swearing and insulting. This is a violation of other people's rights.

Therefore, we must all agree on one thing: relations should be based on mutual respect. You may not like each other's political views and decisions, criticism is also acceptable, but I repeat once again, this should be within the framework of politeness and not within the framework of insults, swearing and slander,” said Kakha Kaladze.

As for the reset of relations with the US, Kakha Kaladze noted that the Georgian side views this issue with optimism.

“We are optimistic. We are ready to start relations with a new leaf. We categorically reject the attitude that the Biden administration had and the decisions that are based on lies and deceit, an unfair attitude. The current Trump administration has the opportunity to very easily change the unfair attitude of the previous administration,” said Kakha Kaladze.

For information, the US Embassy in Georgia responded to a question from Radio Liberty regarding the arrest of citizens for insulting politicians on social media and the newly created “Department for Combating Hate Speech” by saying that it was “concerned about the creation of this department.”

"We are concerned about the Georgian government's hate speech department. The best response to lies and misinformation is more freedom of speech, not enforced silence," the embassy told Radio Liberty.