The Public Defender is responding to the violent actions committed by participants of a demonstration held by the Georgian March and other neo-Nazi groups in parallel with the demonstration organized by the White Freedom Movement under the slogan “For our Freedom” on May 13, 2018 and calls on the law enforcement agencies to ensure proper response.

In particular, according to the reports spread on May 13, counter-demonstrators threatened demonstrators with violence, committed physical violence and made violent calls. Reports also said that they hampered a Rustavi 2 cameraman in performing his duties, threatened him and provoked physical confrontation. In addition, a representative of the Neo-Nazi group spread information that they were starting to form a civil guard.

The Public Defender explains that freedom of assembly and demonstration is a right enshrined in the Constitution, although this right is not unlimited. Violent propaganda, which stirs up national, regional, religious or social confrontation and creates a real and clear danger of their realization, is inadmissible during assemblies and demonstrations.[1] In addition, the Government can terminate the assembly and manifestation, if it goes beyond the law.[2] When expressing protest in any form, it is necessary not to harm other people's rights, or endanger other people's lives, health and property. In the given case, the actions of the abovementioned counter-demonstrators went beyond the scope of freedom of assembly and freedom of expression, and included signs of various crimes.[3]

Despite the fact that there was a police cordon between the demonstrators and counter-demonstrators, which minimized the risk of physical confrontation, the counter-demonstrators attempted to break through the cordon several times. In addition, part of the counter-demonstrators managed to break through the police cordon and said that they were going to break up the rally. The released video footage shows how a counter-demonstrator hit a female demonstrator in her face. Reports were spread about other cases of violence as well.

The Public Defender calls on the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia to timely identify all alleged criminal actions committed during the counter-demonstration on May 13, carry out an effective investigation to identify offenders and held them accountable, as well as to periodically inform the public about the progress of the investigation. At the same time, it is necessary to timely evaluate expected risks at future assemblies of Neo-Nazi groupsand take appropriate measures to prevent criminal and violent actions.