On November 19, 2024, police dismantled an encampment at Tbilisi State University and forcibly dispersed a group of protesters–both students and others–who were peacefully demonstrating against the outcome of recent parliamentary elections. At least 16 people were arrested, and two injured.
Large scale protests erupted across Tbilisi, Georgia’s capital, after the Central Election Commission (CEC) validated the results of the parliamentary elections on November 16, despite accusations of widespread fraud, Russian interference, and illegitimate results.
On November 17, a group of protesters, largely made up of students, erected tents on the courtyard in front of the university demanding new parliamentary elections. Two days later, police entered the university and demanded that the protesters remove the tents and disperse within 15 minutes, or risk arrest. According to Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, police chose to break up the protest after protesters started multiple fires on campus. Photos from the scene show protesters huddled around small fires on the road outside of the university, apparently trying to keep warm. After students refused to leave, special unit police intervened by firing pepper spray and water cannons in an attempt to disperse the protesters. Videos show police beating and dragging protesters across the ground.
Scholars at Risk is concerned about the use of force during a student protest. While state authorities have the responsibility to maintain order and prevent disruption, they must refrain from the disproportionate use of force and endangerment of civilians and must respect the right to freedom of association and freedom of expression. Students must refrain from violence, especially on campus, and also respect the right to freedom of association and freedom of expression. Such actions, beyond harming the immediate victims, have a chilling effect on academic freedom.
Sources:
*SAR identified this incident in data made publicly available by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED)
https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/11/georgia-authorities-must-respect-the-right-to-peaceful-assembly-following-dismantling-of-protesters-camp/
https://civil.ge/archives/636325
https://www.rferl.org/a/georgia-elections-protests-camp-dispersed/33207958.html
https://civil.ge/archives/636683
https://www.rferl.org/a/georgian-police-violently-disperse-protesters-fresh-elections/33207623.html
https://1tv.ge/lang/en/news/mia-clarifies-no-special-hq-established-at-tsu-on-november-18-19-criminal-police-entered-after-protesters-ignited-multiple-fires/