Boise City Wire

U.S. Senators Jim Risch and Jeanne Shaheen have expressed concern over the recent violence in Georgia, following the suspension of the country's European Union membership accession. In a joint statement, they criticized the Georgian government's response to peaceful protests.

"We are very alarmed by the situation unfolding in Georgia where peaceful protest has been met with brute force and violence following the government of Georgia’s unconstitutional decision to disregard the aspirations of the majority of the Georgian people by suspending its European Union membership accession," they stated. "We stand with the Georgian people who have a right to peacefully protest."

The senators highlighted bipartisan support within Congress for Georgia's citizens and emphasized accountability for those involved in election interference and violence against civilians. "There is strong bipartisan, bicameral support in the United States Congress for the Georgian people, and we will work to ensure that the Georgian government and individuals responsible for election interference, violence against peaceful civilians, and other acts that undermine the territorial integrity of Georgia are held accountable," they added.

Risch and Shaheen urged action from both current and future U.S. administrations to support democracy in Georgia. They also endorsed using sanctions as a tool against the Georgian government. "We call on the State Department to make its position clear and unequivocal regarding the current use of force against peaceful protestors," they said. "The Biden Administration decision to suspend our Strategic Partnership with Georgia is a good start but now is the time to use all of the tools at the disposal of the U.S. government, including sanctions, to remind the Georgian government that actions have consequences."

The senators concluded by affirming their commitment to supporting freedom in Georgia: "The Georgian people deserve to know that the United States will not sit idly by as this situation deteriorates."