**Rights Watchdog Calls for International Probe**
The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) has issued a statement saying that the government’s actions against civilians should be considered a crime against humanity. This could lead to an investigation by the International Criminal Court.
According to GYLA, the government has been using violent and coordinated measures to suppress protests in various cities since November 28. The watchdog says that this is not just a police measure, but rather an organized crime. They claim that thousands of citizens have been subjected to unlawful dispersal, arbitrary arrests, and targeted persecution.
**Journalists and Civilians Targeted**
GYLA reports that members of the media, including journalists from international outlets, are being targeted and subjected to severe ill-treatment. Women, minors, and people with disabilities are among those who have been beaten and subjected to deliberate violence.
The statement says that all these actions are accompanied by inaction from investigative authorities and pressure on public servants. Government officials are also accused of praising punitive forces and promoting anti-Western ideology.
**Crime Against Humanity?**
GYLA believes that the scale of increasing repression and systematic violations of human rights might constitute a crime against humanity, as prescribed under Article 7 of the International Criminal Court’s Statute. They cite acts of torture and persecution based on political and discriminatory grounds, which have caused great suffering and serious injury to body and mental health.
**No Independent Investigation**
GYLA says that there is no independent mechanism in the country to effectively investigate this crime. On the contrary, state institutions are suspected of being directly involved in commissioning the mentioned crime. They point out several facts, including:
* The Ministry of Internal Affairs refusing to identify police officers involved in dispersing manifestations
* The Special Investigation Service not identifying responsible individuals or initiating criminal prosecution
* Courts delivering blanket decisions and punishing unlawfully arrested protesters and victims of torture