WASHINGTON— U.S. Helsinki Commission Chairman Senator Roger Wicker (MS), Co-Chairman Representative Joe Wilson (SC-02), Ranking Member Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (RI), Ranking Member Representative Steve Cohen (TN-09), Representative Richard Hudson (NC-09), and Senator John Cornyn (TX) today issued a statement in support of the Georgian people on their 150th consecutive day of protests:
“Tomorrow marks the 150th consecutive day of peaceful demonstrations in Georgia, an extraordinary expression of Georgians’ enduring commitment to freedom and independence for their country. We are proud to stand with the Georgian people as they refuse to surrender their democratic aspirations to an illegitimate regime.
“Georgian Dream is clinging to power by denying Georgians the rights and liberties that democratic societies hold dear. By cracking down on independent media, opposition political parties, and peaceful protestors, Georgian Dream is isolating their country from the transatlantic community and condemning Georgia to a future of repression aligned with Russia, China, and Iran.
“Georgia’s vibrant democratic spirit once made it a beacon of hope in the region. If Georgia continues down this pathway toward autocracy, we stand to lose an ally firmly committed to our shared security and democratic values. Meanwhile, we will be leaving Georgians to suffer under a Russia-controlled authoritarian government after their decades-long struggle for freedom. We call on our transatlantic partners to join us in demanding new free and fair elections and the release of all political prisoners in Georgia. Failure to act would not only betray the hopes and dreams of millions of Georgians, but also greatly diminish the possibility of a free, secure, and prosperous South Caucasus.”
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