Georgian Vice PM: Interior Ministry to launch unit targeting hate speech and aggressive communication

A specialised division will be established within the ministry of internal affairs of Georgia, mandated to conduct systematic monitoring and execute legal responses regarding hate speech, defamatory campaigns, and aggressive communication in public spaces, said on Monday Mamuka Mdinaradze, the Georgian vice prime minister and state minister for coordination of law enforcement agencies.

In his remarks over the matter, Mdinaradze noted that the state has an obligation to create an environment in which freedom of expression and differing opinions are protected, while at the same time preventing the promotion of hatred, hostility, and insult.

“Several months ago, Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze put forward a highly important initiative related to the need to open the space for debate. At the time, he clearly stated that for years certain external actors had deliberately sought to artificially close the space for public discussions in order to prevent diversity of opinion, reasoned debate, and constructive polemics within society. Instead, confrontation, hostility, and polarisation were encouraged by external forces. Unfortunately, this process was accompanied by the establishment of offensive and aggressive rhetoric in both political and social life as a kind of standard for political and public relations”, the vice PM said.

He further added that opening space for public debate was an important first step, and that a new phase of institutional response is now beginning.

“Following detailed and substantive consultations with the ministry of internal affairs and the minister, we agreed that a specialised division will be established within the ministry in the shortest possible time. Its primary function will be the systematic monitoring of hate speech, offensive campaigns, and aggressive communication in the public sphere, as well as the implementation of appropriate legal responses. This, of course, refers to any type of public communication containing hate speech, incitement to hostility, attacks on dignity, and other similar actions”, Mdinaradze noted.

“It is of fundamental importance that the division operates proactively, meaning its response will not depend exclusively on complaints from citizens. The agency will independently conduct monitoring, draft the necessary legal assessments, and, where appropriate, refer the materials to the court”, he concluded.