Georgian PM: Denmark’s human rights backsliding on freedom of assembly “deeply concerning”

Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Monday expressed concern over what he described as a “regression” in human rights standards in certain European Union countries, specifically referring to Denmark and issues related to freedom of assembly.

Speaking to journalists, Kobakhidze said that the developments observed in Denmark were “more than alarming”, particularly in relation to the protection of the right to peaceful assembly.

“When we observe the scale of regression that some EU countries, in this case Denmark, are experiencing in terms of human rights - specifically in ensuring freedom of assembly - this is truly alarming”, he stated.

He added that such developments would have been unimaginable “10-20 years ago”, and emphasised the need for an appropriate response.

“What we have seen in Denmark is more than concerning. When we observe the scale of regression that some EU countries, in this case Denmark, are experiencing in terms of human rights, particularly in ensuring freedom of assembly, this is truly alarming. No one could have imagined this 10-20 years ago. We need to respond appropriately. Such processes should not be overlooked, and public attention must be drawn to them so that society can draw correct conclusions about the direction in which developments are moving across Europe, based on the policies of the European bureaucracy”, Kobakhidze said.