while in 2023 assembly required no permit and freedom of expression was guaranteed, by 2024, covering one's face was considered an administrative offense, and the penalty for blocking a road rose from 500 to 5,000 GEL. In 2025, both acts became criminal offenses
Unfortunately Europe is doing no better regarding surveillance [1,2,3]. Only the repression is not yet so harsh (arguably).
(This complaint should be interpreted as the opposite of whataboutism - it makes the problem worse and more urgent in both places, since there is no more safety to flee to, or to point to as examples of freedom.)
Only the repression is not yet so harsh (arguably).
Is it?
France: "Article 431-9-1, now stipulates a sentence of one year's imprisonment and a fine of €15,000 for voluntarily concealing all or part of the face "without legitimate reason" whilst attending a demonstration "during or at the end of which disturbances to public order are committed or are likely to be committed."" [0]
Meanwhile in Canada: "Bill C-309 became law, banning the wearing of masks during a riot or unlawful assembly, carrying a maximum ten-year prison sentence with a conviction of the offence." [1]
But I don't understand, right, it's different, Georgian masked rioters are pro-democracy freedom fighters, and protesters in the West are forces of darkness.
I think we agree. I meant the repression enabled by the surveillance/anti-mask laws. The laws themselves seem equally harsh, and the surveillance equally pervasive. (I was not aware of that Canadian law with a 10 year sentence - that is insane, and far harsher than the Georgian equivalent.)
And honestly, personally I am of the opinion that even the repression is just as harsh, but in a different way. But this is not the place to open that can of worms, so I leave it at (arguably).
Comments
Unfortunately Europe is doing no better regarding surveillance [1,2,3]. Only the repression is not yet so harsh (arguably).
(This complaint should be interpreted as the opposite of whataboutism - it makes the problem worse and more urgent in both places, since there is no more safety to flee to, or to point to as examples of freedom.)
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-mask_law
[2] https://euperspectives.eu/2025/08/surveillance-becoming-norm...
[3] https://www.politico.eu/article/data-retention-europe-mass-s...
Is it?
France: "Article 431-9-1, now stipulates a sentence of one year's imprisonment and a fine of €15,000 for voluntarily concealing all or part of the face "without legitimate reason" whilst attending a demonstration "during or at the end of which disturbances to public order are committed or are likely to be committed."" [0]
Meanwhile in Canada: "Bill C-309 became law, banning the wearing of masks during a riot or unlawful assembly, carrying a maximum ten-year prison sentence with a conviction of the offence." [1]
But I don't understand, right, it's different, Georgian masked rioters are pro-democracy freedom fighters, and protesters in the West are forces of darkness.
[0] https://www.lemonde.fr/en/les-decodeurs/article/2023/05/12/i...
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preventing_Persons_from_Concea...
I think we agree. I meant the repression enabled by the surveillance/anti-mask laws. The laws themselves seem equally harsh, and the surveillance equally pervasive. (I was not aware of that Canadian law with a 10 year sentence - that is insane, and far harsher than the Georgian equivalent.)
And honestly, personally I am of the opinion that even the repression is just as harsh, but in a different way. But this is not the place to open that can of worms, so I leave it at (arguably).
Yep, we agree much more than disagree. Let the worms stay in that can)