**Xenophobia Has No Place in Georgia, Says Parliament Speaker**
In the wake of recent statements on social media, the Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, has spoken out against xenophobic rhetoric. Human rights defender Baia Pataraia had claimed that the Georgian Dream party was encouraging Russians to enter Georgia ahead of the August war, creating a “comfort” for them that is considered a provocation.
Papuashvili responded strongly to these claims, saying that such statements are an example of xenophobia funded and incited by the EU Embassy. She emphasized that no matter what is happening in the world, hatred towards specific nationalities has no justification.
**A Long History of Peace**
The Parliament Speaker noted that Georgia has a long history of surviving despite wars and other misfortunes. “We should not be a nation full of hatred,” she said. “That’s why these NGOs are alien to Georgian society.”
Papuashvili also drew attention to a previous campaign by the same NGOs, which had led to violence against Slavic-looking women in Georgia. She accused these organizations of stirring up hatred and inciting violence once again.
**The EU Embassy’s Silence**
The Speaker expressed disappointment that the EU Embassy has not condemned or distanced itself from the xenophobic statements made by its funded groups. Instead, she said, a spokesperson for Brussels had tried to downplay the issue, claiming that calling someone a “pig” because of their nationality is not an example of xenophobia.
**A Call to Action**
In her statement, Papuashvili called on all Georgians to stand against xenophobic rhetoric and promote tolerance and understanding. She emphasized that Georgia’s European values should include respect for every individual, regardless of their nationality.
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