Georgia crackdown ‘went too far’

TBILISI – Human Rights Watch yesterday accused the Georgian government of using excessive force last month when police violently dispersed protesters and shut down the main pro-opposition television channel.

“The Georgian government crossed the line when police chased and beat peaceful demonstrators, and threatened and intimidated journalists,” Holly Cartner, the New York-based rights group’s Europe and Central Asia director, said in a statement. “The November 7 police operations were not legitimate means of policing.They have done serious damage to Georgia’s reputation as a champion of human rights.”In a report released on Wednesday, the Brussels-based International Crisis Group also accused Georgian authorities of pursuing an “increasingly authoritarian course.””The government’s repressive and disproportionate response to peaceful protests in November 2007 shocked Western capitals, which had viewed Georgia as a beacon of democracy in a region of illiberal regimes,” the group said.In last month’s unrest riot police used water cannons, rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse thousands of protesters who had rallied for several days demanding President Mikheil Saakashvili’s resignation.Police also raided and shut down the private Imedi television channel, which authorities accused of inciting protesters to overthrow the government.The station has since been reopened.Nampa-AFP”The November 7 police operations were not legitimate means of policing.They have done serious damage to Georgia’s reputation as a champion of human rights.”In a report released on Wednesday, the Brussels-based International Crisis Group also accused Georgian authorities of pursuing an “increasingly authoritarian course.””The government’s repressive and disproportionate response to peaceful protests in November 2007 shocked Western capitals, which had viewed Georgia as a beacon of democracy in a region of illiberal regimes,” the group said.In last month’s unrest riot police used water cannons, rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse thousands of protesters who had rallied for several days demanding President Mikheil Saakashvili’s resignation.Police also raided and shut down the private Imedi television channel, which authorities accused of inciting protesters to overthrow the government.The station has since been reopened.Nampa-AFP