Georgian PM: new law opposing hate speech should be implemented without any double standards, should apply equally to all parties

Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Tuesday said the new law opposing hate speech should be implemented without any double standards.

Kobakhidze noted that double standards should not be allowed and the law should apply to anyone who committed a violation.

“As a lawyer, I may have my own position on what is hate speech and what is not, but the relevant bodies, the ministry of internal affairs, the court should establish the practice, and it is better to observe how both agencies and bodies establish this practice. As for the practice of punishment, double standards should not be allowed here. We have a new law that opposes hate speech, and naturally, this legislation should be enacted without any double standards. Of course, we should all monitor the practice that will be established in the ministry of internal affairs. This practice should not be one-sided. In order to completely eliminate hate speech and hatred in our public, this practice should apply equally to all parties”, Kobakhidze said.