16th September, 2024
In a decisive move to promote accountability for human rights abuses and anti-democratic actions, the United States has announced a broad array of sanctions against Georgian officials and individuals implicated in undermining Georgia’s democracy and violating human rights.
The U.S. Department of State has imposed sanctions on two high-ranking Georgian government officials: Zviad “Khareba” Kharazishvili, Chief of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Special Task Department, and his Deputy, Mileri Lagazauri.
These sanctions are in response to their involvement in severe human rights violations during the violent crackdown on peaceful protests against the controversial foreign influence law.
Additionally, the U.S. has targeted two leaders of a violent extremist group, Konstantine Morgoshia and Zurab Makharadze, for their roles in perpetrating human rights abuses, including violent attacks on citizens exercising their right to peaceful assembly.
In an expanded effort to address the situation, the Department of State is also imposing visa restrictions on over 60 Georgian individuals and their family members.
This list includes senior government and municipal officials who abused their power to curtail fundamental freedoms, business leaders engaged in corruption, individuals who spread disinformation and promoted violent extremism, law enforcement officers involved in assaulting protesters, and members of parliament who supported undemocratic legislation.
These actions reflect ongoing U.S. concern over the erosion of democratic norms and human rights in Georgia.
The U.S. reaffirms its support for the Georgian people’s right to assemble, speak, and protest peacefully without fear of violence or suppression.
The sanctions were enacted under Executive Order 13818, which builds upon the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, targeting global perpetrators of severe human rights abuses and corruption.