US Helsinki Commission takes a clear stance: Solidarity with the protesters in Georgia

While the Georgian government continues to live in a parallel world, celebrating itself as a defender of "sovereignty," the protests against authoritarian tendencies have reached a historic milestone: 150 days of uninterrupted resistance! And this time, the applause is coming not only from the streets of Tbilisi, but also from Washington, D.C.

A bipartisan group of senior U.S. policymakers from the U.S. Helsinki Commission —including Senator Roger Wicker, Representative Joe Wilson, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Representative Steve Cohen, Representative Richard Hudson, and Senator John Cornyn—issued a powerful statement. Its message is so clear that it should set off alarm bells even in the best government offices in Tbilisi.

150 days of protest: A signal of determination

"Tomorrow marks the 150th anniversary of peaceful demonstrations in Georgia – an extraordinary expression of Georgians' continued commitment to freedom and independence," the statement reads. This is no small praise, considering that hardly any other country in the South Caucasus fights political repression with such tenacity – in rain, snow, and under constant police pressure.

The members of the US Helsinki Commission make it clear: They stand with the Georgian people , not the government. And they leave no doubt as to who is responsible for the current misery: "Georgian Dream," the ruling party, which—in its words—"clings to power by denying Georgians the rights and freedoms that democratic societies uphold."

From beacon of hope to problem case

It's almost tragic: Just a few years ago, Georgia was celebrated as a "beacon of democracy" in the post-Soviet space. Today, according to US lawmakers, the country is moving full steam ahead toward an authoritarian system – side by side with Russia, China, and Iran. An alliance that Georgia's citizens will certainly not be proud of.

The statement speaks of a painful truth: If Georgia continues down this path, the free world will lose an important partner – and the Georgian people will once again suffer under the control of an authoritarian regime they have fought against for decades.

Clear demand: new elections and release of political prisoners

The US Helsinki Commission doesn't stop at admonishing words. It explicitly calls for new free and fair elections in Georgia and the immediate release of all political prisoners . It also sends an unequivocal warning to international partners: Inaction would be a betrayal of the hopes of millions of Georgians —and a serious setback for security and stability in the South Caucasus.

What remains of the rhetoric of sovereignty?

While government officials like Mamuka Mdinaradze continue to fantasize that Western criticism is nothing more than "blackmail," the real question remains: Who is truly on the side of the Georgian people? Who is truly defending freedom, human rights, and the European perspective? The answer today is not provided by the Georgian government—but by those in Washington who advocate for freedom and democracy.

And yes, perhaps it's time for the Georgian government to finally stop portraying Western supporters as enemies and instead take its own citizens seriously. But that would probably be asking too much.

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