Speaker of the Georgian Parliament spoke about the significance of the newly established anti-hate speech department, stating that it will help reduce escalation in the country.

"The Hate Speech Prevention Department will bring many positive changes. First, it will help reduce externally imposed hate in Georgia. This is important, including for political debate. When pro-European forces resort to insults and abusive language, it naturally suppresses any meaningful public discussion. Therefore, this is an important issue for both our political landscape and national security, as it will help prevent escalation fueled by hate speech.

Second, it could help partly restore the European Union’s damaged reputation. Today, in the eyes of Georgians, hate is associated with being pro-European. We see that those who claim to be pro-European are the main sources of hate and the primary spreaders of abusive language on social media and beyond. What suffers as a result is the reputation of the European Union itself.

If the European Union did not want to continue being associated with vulgarity, insults, and hate speech, it should support the initiative, which will ultimately compel the so-called pro-European forces to return to civil and respectful rhetoric free from abusive language and clearly explain what they stand for", - said Shalva Papuashvili.