Vakhtang Gomelauri informs public about international police measures

Georgia: The Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia, Vakhtang Gomelauri, informs the public about the practice of international policing measures used by police in leading European countries and the United States of America to manage masses during rallies and demonstrations and use special legal means if necessary.

Recently, there has been misinformation in media and social networks by various political leaders and rally organizers that law enforcers have used their force against protesters and committed unlawful actions.

In a meeting, Vakhtang Gomelauri said, “We would like to emphasize that police during rallies and demonstrations always act according to international standards. Instructions drafted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which regulates the management of meetings and manifestations, are fully in line with the guidelines of Euto/Odiri.”

It was also noted that law enforcers consistently carry out special measures according to internationally recognized standards. In response to developments, the police have acted similarly during recent demonstrations.”

In cooperation with donor organizations, the Ministry of Internal Affairs representatives have participated in various international trainings and are trained to meet global standards.

They have undergone international level training in Georgia as well as in Germany, Bulgaria, Netherlands, Italy, France and Turkey. Interior Ministry staff have undergone training: crisis response and negotiations, effective management of meetings and demonstrations, and public demonstrations, and use of force to ensure public order.

The equipment, special equipment, and special means used by representatives of the Internal Affairs Ministry are of international standard, and most of them have been purchased in various European countries.

The ministry wants to introduce the public to video clips of police events in different countries at different times.

The developed world agrees that law enforcement in any state is the primary task of the police, and this footage also proves that police in every country have the right to act according to the law and, within their jurisdiction, to take measures that are often unacceptable and strict to the public.

It said, “I would like to point out here that in recent times, the gatherings and manifestations taking place in Georgia, especially in Tbilisi, have repeatedly exceeded the legal measures for gatherings and manifestations. We’ve seen an assault on the legislature, an attempt to picket Parliament, and also, several instances of violence against law enforcement.”

This footage has caught the attention of not only Georgian media but also world media. His European colleagues will agree with him that Georgian law enforcers used proportional force and quite tempting actions.

This is a warning to all rally participants and organizers: when police begin to investigate protesters’ violent actions, strict measures will be applied, just like in leading US and European countries.