Jack Hare is our volunteer in the United Kingdom who has always been passionate about liberty and democracy, campaigning on issues like free speech and human rights in his country. Recently, his commitment extended beyond borders as he worked to raise awareness of election fraud and human rights abuses in Georgia. His efforts to highlight the situation contributed to growing international scrutiny, culminating in a significant response from the UK government.
Concerned about reports of democratic backsliding and violence against protestors in Georgia, Jack reached out to Members of Parliament in the UK through a range of channels—emails, WhatsApp messages, Instagram DMs, and even calls to constituency offices. His goal was to explain the situation, urging MPs to speak out against the anti-western authoritarian party Georgian Dream’s government’s actions and stand in solidarity with the Georgian civil society.
Jack’s persistence paid off when MP Chris Ward responded, confirming that the UK government recognized the elections as fraudulent and supported the Georgian people’s democratic aspirations.
The aforementioned efforts aligned with growing international attention on Georgia. On December 14, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy issued a strong statement condemning the Georgian government’s actions. Responding to reports of violence against protestors and journalists, Lammy announced the following measures:
- Immediate suspension of UK program support to the Georgian government.
- Restrictions on defense cooperation.
- Limited engagement with representatives of the Georgian Dream government.
According to Gareth Ward, the Ambassador of the UK in Georgia, the UK is suspending programmatic support, military cooperation, and political engagements with the Georgian government, including funding for public administration reform and cybersecurity operations, and halting the Wardrop Strategic Dialogue.
Following this, Georgia’s Minister for Interior and Director of the Tbilisi Police Department among five individuals were sanctioned by the UK for violating human rights in Georgia.
Moreover, Jack Hare also brought up the issue with UK Labour MP Blair McDougall, who then addressed the Georgian government’s “violent crackdown” on peaceful protesters during December 12th House of Commons session. He went on to point out that Imedi TV, the government’s primary propaganda tool, is operated from the UK through the company Hunnewell Partners. Blair McDougall has urged the Leader of the House of Commons, the government’s representative Lucy Powell, to hold a debate on this issue and possibly investigate it further.
THE WORLD IS WATCHING
The UK’s stance reflects a wider international response to the Georgian Dream government’s decision to delay EU accession until 2028, which has sparked pro-EU protests. Similar actions were announced earlier by other countries:
- In late October, Sweden announced it would halt direct cooperation with the Georgian government.
- In November, the U.S. suspended its strategic partnership with Georgia over concerns about its democratic direction.
- Germany followed suit, halting new development cooperation projects with Georgia.
- Estonia and Lithuania have sanctioned Georgian government officials, including the Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and the judges responsible for unlawful arrests of the Georgian citizens.
This all happened because there is a clear dissonance between what the Georgian civil society wants and what the government does. People inside and outside of Georgia have been brave enough to make their voices heard and demand justice.
While Jack’s efforts are part of a larger international context, they show that ordinary citizens can play a pivotal role in influencing public discourse and policy decisions by grassroots advocacy. By using his connections and collaborating with organizations like Georgian Youth UK, he ensured that the voices of those fighting for democracy in Georgia reached decision-makers in the UK.
“Democracy is a cornerstone of liberty. It’s crucial to challenge authoritarianism wherever it arises, and I’m glad to see the UK standing in support of the Georgian people. Everyone deserves the freedom to shape their own future” – said Jack.
International and public condemnation are crucial tools in countering authoritarian regimes. They isolate oppressive governments diplomatically and economically, undermining their legitimacy and draining the resources they need to maintain control. Jack’s story demonstrates how persistence and collaboration can influence awareness and action. His advocacy contributed to a stronger stance on Georgia from the UK and reinforced the importance of standing with those who fight for democratic values around the world.
Georgia’s struggle for democracy is a reminder that freedom is not to be taken for granted and must be safeguarded whenever it is under threat. Standing in solidarity with Georgia is a commitment to the values of liberty and justice that we must uphold.
