IJAB: Could you please briefly introduce yourself?
Tamar Jmukhadze: My name is Tamar Jmukhadze and I am 21 years old. I am studying mathematics and design at university in Georgia.
IJAB: Why are you demonstrating on the streets? And what motivated you personally to take part in the protests?
Tamar Jmukhadze: The demonstrations began after the government purposely departed from the country’s aim to become an EU member state and in doing so, betrayed its own values. This manifested in a controlled and illegal form of aggression towards citizens and protestors. My own family suffered too from these repressive actions. My mother used to be a lecturer at Tbilisi State University. Last summer she took a stand against the adoption of “Russian” based legislation; soon after, she was fired even though she had taught at the university for 18 years. I want to see a future for my country where we can express our ideas and personal aims freely and without fear.
IJAB: What are the main demands of the young demonstrators?
Tamar Jmukhadze: Young demonstrators are basically demanding that the government step down, organize new, independent and fair elections, and stop blocking our progress towards Europe. And of course, they demand that all those who were illegally arrested be freed.
IJAB: How is the government reacting to the protests? Are there attempts to suppress the movement?
Tamar Jmukhadze: The government is taking extreme steps and using every possible method to repress free voices and force people to stop protesting at all. Their methods range from summarily firing people from their jobs to creating legislation allowing them to fine almost anyone who attends a protest on almost hilariously unbelievable grounds.
IJAB: How much support is there among the population for the (pro-European) movement?
Tamar Jmukhadze: There is a huge movement in support of this cause. Almost everyone, especially young people, desperately wants European values and a European future in their daily life.
IJAB: Are there young people in Georgia who are still skeptical about moving closer to Europe? If so, why might that be?
Tamar Jmukhadze: Yes, unfortunately. I think this is because of propaganda that dates back to the Soviet Union era. Some people are delusional. The government is using this to trigger an imagined sense of loss of certain values, for example religion or Georgian traditions, suggesting we could lose them if we moved closer to Europe.
IJAB: What are your hopes and expectations for Georgia in the coming years?
Tamar Jmukhadze: The situation is still undecided, however everything is possible. Some people feel more pessimistic and are waiting for a response from the EU that is a bit more supportive. I think that even if we manage to overthrow this government, it will still be a long journey before we can join the EU. And yet I feel optimistic about this cause.
IJAB: Thank you.
