The Rise of Student Movements
Student protest movements emerged at two key moments: during the adoption of the so-called “Russian law” on foreign agents and following the announcement of Georgia’s shift away from its European path. Three months into the uninterrupted protests, student organizations report their numbers growing.
These organizations’ mission go beyond organizing protests. The Bastioni movement from the University of Georgia sends representatives of their mouvement to all corners of the country to mobilize their peers in other towns and cities. They speak to and interview student leaders outside of Tbilisi to amplify their message. At the University of Georgia, the Free University of Tbilisi and the Agricultural University, university leadership have not interfered with the movements and have remained supportive. However, this support is far from universal. Other institutions have publicly opposed student initiatives through a joint statement, thereby aligning themselves with the government’s actions.
This is particularly the case at Tbilisi State University, where Rector Jaba Samushia, known for his close ties to the Georgian political establishment, particularly to Bidzina Ivanishvili, has taken a clear stance against the student movement. He notably allowed the police to use university buildings as a base to hide before violently cracking down on protesters.
Given the pressure, academic and social life at these universities have become polarized. While some administrations attempt to suppress dissent, mobilization grows evermore among students and staff. Intimidation and threats only strengthen the movement’s determination, which now extends far beyond university campuses. “Despite these challenges, we remain steadfast” said a representative of the Art Students Movement. For many students, this struggle goes beyond academic concerns. It represents a broader fight for democracy, freedom of expression, and Georgia’s European future.
Student Demands
The student movements’ demands have remained clear and unchanged since the beginning of the protests.
First, they demand the release of illegally detained citizens and political prisoners. This demand was ignored during the parliamentary elections on November 28 and the subsequent presidential election.
Protests have been met with violent repression, with numerous demonstrators arrested. Authorities have targeted journalists, opposition leaders, and also young protesters. Footage of masked and unidentifiable law enforcement officers assaulting demonstrators has circulated widely. Zurab “Girchi” Japaridze, leader of the opposition party Girchi, said at a conference in Prague last December that masked officers waited for him and his colleagues outside their offices and homes to physically assault them.
New repressive laws have been illegitimately passed by the parliament, emerging from the fraudulent November 28 elections. These include banning protesters from wearing masks to protect themselves from tear gas and prohibiting the possession of fireworks, which demonstrators have used as a symbol of resistance.
Amnesty international describes the work of the police and the judicial system as “appearing to be weapons used to intimidate, harass, and repress protesters and silence peaceful dissent, reflecting an institutionalized repression.”
Second, students call for new, free, and fair elections that would allow the Georgian people to express their will to join the European Union—an aspiration supported by 86.3% of the Georgian people according to the a study conducted in January 2025 by the Institute of Social Sciences and Analysis.
What Is at Stake for Georgian Students ?
The stakes are high for Georgian students as their academic and future professional endeavors are intertwined with Georgia’s European integration. From broader access to the Erasmus+ program and the strengthening of academic freedoms to a healthy presence of greater civic engagement and reducing the brain drain in the country.
This openness would also facilitate cultural exchanges, enabling the younger generation to contribute to the country’s socio-economic development and foster a more just and democratic political system. Students would simply be incentivised to stay in the country as opposed to emigrate.
The fight for freedom has been evident since the beginning of the protests. A striking example is that of Luka Jabua, a young student from the University of Georgia who was arrested and imprisoned. He now faces a sentence of 7 to 11 years in prison for defending his country and his people.
Student organizations are calling for strong support from the European Union. A representative from the students organisation of Free University of Tbilisi and Agricultural University stated:
“Strong international support can play a crucial role in holding the government accountable and ensuring that Georgia remains on the path to European integration.”
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