**EU Told to Take Action Against Georgia**
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on European Union (EU) foreign affairs ministers to take action against the Georgian government. The ministers are meeting on December 16 to discuss Georgia.
The HRW statement says that the Georgian government’s response to protests is “heavy-handed” and is risking a human rights crisis in the country. Protesters have been beaten, detained, and attacked by riot police and “violent mobs”.
HRW wants the EU to impose sanctions on officials responsible for violence against protesters. This could include blocking their travel to Europe with Schengen visas.
The organization also wants an independent investigation into the government’s response to protests. HRW suggests that experts from the Council of Europe and the United Nations should lead this investigation.
**Georgia in Crisis**
HRW says that despite international pressure, the Georgian government is intensifying its crackdown on protesters. Police have used teargas, water cannons, and rubber bullets against largely peaceful demonstrators.
Opposition and independent journalists have also been attacked by riot police and “violent mobs”. HRW wants the EU to show more than just moral support for the people of Georgia.
**EU Must Act**
The HRW statement says that it’s time for decisive action from the EU. The organization is calling on the EU to take concrete steps to prevent a human rights crisis in Georgia from escalating further.
HRW’s Associate Director, Giorgi Gogia, and Advocacy Director, Iskra Kirova, are making this appeal to EU foreign affairs ministers ahead of their meeting on December 16.