Far-right vigilantes tear down and burn the European flag in front of the Georgian parliament

Far right protestors tore down the European flag from in front of the Georgian parliament and burnt it on Tuesday night (6 July) amid ongoing tensions in Tbilisi as vigilantes attempted to violently disrupt Pride Week activities.

On Monday, a planned rally on the occasion of Pride Week which was supposed to highlight the demands for dignity, and non discrimination against Georgia' embattled gay and lesbian community, had to be cancelled after far right protestors, some instigated by Orthodox clergy, threatened to violently prevent it. The offices of the local LGBT organisation were ransacked, and dozens of journalists were attacked as they tried to cover events on Monday, with many suffering injuries and needing hospitalisation.

The incidents have caused outrage among civil society groups in Georgia and the international community. Those supporting the right of gay groups to march on Tuesday evening organised their own silent protest in front of the the Georgian parliament. But the gathering once more was subject to attempts by far right vigilante groups to disrupt it.  Vigilantes at some point succeeded to reach the European flag which has flown next to the Georgian flag in front of the Georgian Parliament for nearly two decades, and they tore it down and burned it.

The incident has caused further disquiet amongst pro liberal circles in Georgia who accuse the government of not doing enough to control the far right groups that have been violently disrupting public order.

The Georgian police, who appeared to be passive during the incidents on Monday took a tougher line on Tuesday, with dozens of right wing demonstrators arrested as they tried to break through police line.

 

source: commonspace.eu
photo: Orthodox priests appeared to be playing a leading role in an eruption homophobic protests in Tbilisi this week (picture courtesy of IPN, Tbilisi)

 

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
Dozens participate in new Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue process as societies prepare for the signing of historic peace agreement

Dozens participate in new Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue process as societies prepare for the signing of historic peace agreement

The governments of Armenia and Azerbaijan have recently agreed the text of a historic peace agreement that ends years of animosity and warfare. The agreement is expected to be signed soon. LINKS Europe, which has a long history of engagement with the process of peace in the region, recently launched a new Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue format in the framework of the European Union's EU4Peace initiative. In the last two weeks dozens of Armenians and Azerbaijanis, including academics, students, civil society activists, journalists and other professionals, many of them young, were involved. The work is organised in five thematic groups focusing on peace and security, connectivity, environment, governance and gender and equality and in phase 2 of the project, which has just ended, around fifty participants took part in in-person and online meetings, and more than twenty others were involved indirectly. The Chairpersons of the five thematic groups met in Vilnius, 3-6 July to launch the third phase of the program. The five thematic groups are now working on separate reports, which are expected to be finished in November and presented to the two governments and other stakeholders. The reports will outline a vision, up to 2040.

Popular

Editor's choice
News
Dozens participate in new Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue process as societies prepare for the signing of historic peace agreement

Dozens participate in new Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue process as societies prepare for the signing of historic peace agreement

The governments of Armenia and Azerbaijan have recently agreed the text of a historic peace agreement that ends years of animosity and warfare. The agreement is expected to be signed soon. LINKS Europe, which has a long history of engagement with the process of peace in the region, recently launched a new Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue format in the framework of the European Union's EU4Peace initiative. In the last two weeks dozens of Armenians and Azerbaijanis, including academics, students, civil society activists, journalists and other professionals, many of them young, were involved. The work is organised in five thematic groups focusing on peace and security, connectivity, environment, governance and gender and equality and in phase 2 of the project, which has just ended, around fifty participants took part in in-person and online meetings, and more than twenty others were involved indirectly. The Chairpersons of the five thematic groups met in Vilnius, 3-6 July to launch the third phase of the program. The five thematic groups are now working on separate reports, which are expected to be finished in November and presented to the two governments and other stakeholders. The reports will outline a vision, up to 2040.