Friday, 07 February 2025
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** Georgia accelerating into Orwellian authoritarianism
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“George Orwell wrote in 1984, ‘If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face — forever.’ We see that boot stamping on the faces of regime critics. This is not a future vision anymore; it is our present reality.”

These were the words of Teona Sekhniashvili, who monitors media attacks as part of her role at the International Press Institute in Vienna and who was speaking to me about her native Georgia.

The country has been gripped by widespread protests since the controversial re-election of the Georgian Dream party in late October (read our report on the run-up here ([link removed]) ) and the government’s declaration in November that talks for European Union accession were on hold ([link removed]) . While protests waned briefly, they flared up again in recent days ([link removed]) . Thousands gathered on Sunday in Tbilisi, the capital, only to be met with forceful police action, leading to arrests – including two well-known opposition figures, Nika Melia and Gigi Ugulava. Both were released on bail, but their experiences, like those of many others, raise alarm. Melia reported
([link removed]) being kicked by a senior police official while handcuffed, and independent TV station Pirveli aired disturbing footage of police violently assaulting detained protesters.

The case of prominent journalist Mzia Amaglobeli (pictured above) is equally troubling. She now lies in a hospital bed on hunger strike. Amaglobeli was arrested twice in January, the first for pasting a sticker about an upcoming strike on a police station wall, a symbol of resistance in a climate where even the simplest acts of defiance are now being banned. During her subsequent release, police targeted her supporters, leading to an altercation where Amaglobeli lightly slapped an officer ([link removed]) . This action was widely publicised by state media, though Transparency International Georgia described the slap as harmless and believe authorities are exploiting it to make an example of her. Off-camera, witnesses reported she was subjected to harsh and abusive language by a senior police officer, who, according to her lawyers, spat in her face.

For Sekhniashvili, Amaglobeli is more than just a name – she is a friend and a symbol of courage. Sekhniashvili tells me that she is “very brave, very inspiring, calm, pleasant and polite”.

The rise of authoritarianism in Georgia is impossible to ignore. As Sekhniashvili observes, the state’s crackdown on democracy and human rights is accelerating at an alarming rate. What remains of the country’s freedoms is being systematically dismantled. Just yesterday, plans to ban spontaneous protests were announced ([link removed]) . The words of Amaglobeli, said from prison, ring in Sekhniashvili’s ears: "I will not bow to this regime. I will not play by its rules.”

Orwell’s boots are stamping on the faces of Georgians; it seems they will not take it lying down.


Jemimah Steinfeld

CEO, Index on Censorship


** More from Index
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** Under the Taliban, Afghanistan’s musicians have fallen silent ([link removed])
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A complete music ban has meant both professionals and amateurs must stop playing or risk their lives. We explore the impact on those in exile and those who remain

Golazin Ardestani: “They controlled my voice, my body, my agency” ([link removed])

Since Iranian singer-songwriter Gola fled her home country in 2011, she has continued her fight for women's rights in exile


** Big Tech shouldn’t punish women for seeking abortions ([link removed])
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With Trump now in office, state and local governments in the USA must push tech companies to protect women’s private data


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** Nominate a freedom of expression champion
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Our Freedom of Expression Awards recognise those on the frontline of free expression and whose work has contributed significantly to confronting censorship – specifically in repressive regimes around the world.

In recent years, award recipients of these prestigious awards have included Toomaj Salehi, Malala Yousafzai, Cartoon Rights Network, and Abdelrahman ‘Moka’ Tarek.
NOMINATE TODAY ([link removed])


** From elsewhere
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** >> RUSSIA: ([link removed]) Singer who spoke out against war in Ukraine dies after “falling from window” ([link removed])
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** >> DRC: ([link removed]) Internet and social media shutdowns as violence flares ([link removed])
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** >> TECH: ([link removed]) 90 journalists and civil society members targeted by Paragon spyware ([link removed])
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** >> AZERBAIJAN: ([link removed]) Editor Shahnaz Baylargizi detained in press freedom crackdown ([link removed])
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** >> USA: ([link removed]) Musk’s DOGE to dodge Freedom of Information requests with Slack ban ([link removed])
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** >> INDIA: ([link removed]) Release of Oscars contender Santosh delayed by censorship ([link removed])
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** Flashback
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Beijing’s fearless foe with God on his side ([link removed])

by Jimmy Lai ([link removed])

Index on Censorship, volume 51, issue 1 ([link removed])

Today, 7 February, marks political prisoner Jimmy Lai’s 1500th day behind bars. He was detained in December 2020 under Hong Kong’s draconian National Security Law. He is currently on trial on further charges of alleged sedition and collusion with foreign forces.

In 2022, Index published a series of Jimmy’s letters from prison, detailing his Christian faith, his thoughts on the Tiananmen Square massacre and the joy he gets from family visits and letters.

Read the letters here. ([link removed])


** Support our work
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The world is becoming more authoritarian and our work supporting individuals like Jimmy Lai and promoting freedom of expression in countries such as Georgia, Afghanistan and Iran has never been more important.

By supporting Index on Censorship today, you can help us in our work with censored artists, jailed musicians, journalists under threat and dissidents facing torture and worse.

Please donate today ([link removed])

Photos by Netgazeti.ge (Mzia Amaglobeli); 海彥, Voice of America (Jimmy Lai)

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