Georgian Parliament Speaker accuses EU Ambassador of siding with hate speech

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Thursday strongly criticised the European Union Ambassador, stating that the Ambassador failed to distance himself from hate speech emanating from individuals and organisations funded by the EU.

In his remarks, Papuashvili asserted that this inaction was effectively placing the Ambassador “on the side of hatred and violence”.

He further claimed that the ongoing hate campaign in Georgia was being funded from abroad, including by the EU and its diplomatic missions.

“If we look closely at where the hate campaign originates, it comes from NGOs funded from abroad. The response to this - including from the EU Ambassador - has been zero. It is now obvious that this hate campaign is justified, encouraged, and financed externally, including by the EU Embassy and donors from EU member states”, the Speaker said.

“The EU Ambassador had a chance to take a stand and distance himself from the hate speech promoted by individuals financed under his auspices. He did not take that opportunity. As a result, he has aligned himself with hate and violence. The reality today is that the hate campaign in Georgia - this violence and propaganda - is being funded from outside, including by the EU Embassy”, he continued.

Papuashvili concluded by emphasising that now the only thing Georgia had to demand was an end to the justification and funding of hate and violence by the EU Embassy.