**Georgia’s Freedom of Expression Under Threat**
The Georgian Young Lawyers Association (GYLA) has spoken out against the prosecution of citizens, activists, journalists, and politicians for expressing their opinions on social media. According to GYLA, this practice is an unjustified restriction on freedom of expression and creates a “chilling effect” that stifles critical evaluation of government actions.
**Instilling Fear in Society**
GYLA claims that the ruling party, Georgian Dream, aims to instill fear in society by prosecuting people for their opinions on social media. The association says this is an attempt to silence critics and prevent them from evaluating the actions of politicians. By doing so, GYLA argues that Georgian Dream seeks to maintain control over public discourse and prevent any dissenting voices.
**Freedom of Expression Under Threat**
GYLA emphasizes that freedom of expression is a fundamental right that protects citizens’ ability to express their opinions on social media, as long as those opinions do not pose a real threat to others. The association warns that if the courts interpret the law in a way that contradicts this standard, it will create a precedent for mass censorship. This, GYLA says, would have serious consequences for Georgia’s democratic development and freedom of expression.
**A Statement from GYLA**
In its statement, GYLA summarizes its concerns: “The prosecution due to evaluative judgments against politicians creates a precedent of mass censorship. This is an unjustified restriction of freedom of expression and has a chilling effect.” The association’s words highlight the need for Georgia’s government and courts to respect the fundamental right to freedom of expression and protect citizens’ ability to express themselves on social media without fear of prosecution.
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