20 ms·

Russian Surveillance Software Suppresses Georgian Civilians Rights

7 points by fodmap 2mo ago

like_any_other 2mo ago
> 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.) [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-mask_law https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-mask_law [2] https://euperspectives.eu/2025/08/surveillance-becoming-normal-in-europe/ https://euperspectives.eu/2025/08/surveillance-becoming-norm... [3] https://www.politico.eu/article/data-retention-europe-mass-surveillance/ https://www.politico.eu/article/data-retention-europe-mass-s...
- drysine 2mo ago
  >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. [0] https://www.lemonde.fr/en/les-decodeurs/article/2023/05/12/is-it-legal-in-france-for-demonstrators-to-march-with-their-faces-concealed_6026474_8.html https://www.lemonde.fr/en/les-decodeurs/article/2023/05/12/i... [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preventing_Persons_from_Concealing_Their_Identity_during_Riots_and_Unlawful_Assemblies_Act https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preventing_Persons_from_Concea...
  - like_any_other 2mo ago
    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).
    - drysine 2mo ago
      Yep, we agree much more than disagree. Let the worms stay in that can)

7 points by fodmap 2mo ago

> 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.) [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-mask_law https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-mask_law [2] https://euperspectives.eu/2025/08/surveillance-becoming-normal-in-europe/ https://euperspectives.eu/2025/08/surveillance-becoming-norm... [3] https://www.politico.eu/article/data-retention-europe-mass-surveillance/ https://www.politico.eu/article/data-retention-europe-mass-s...

drysine 2mo ago
>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. [0] https://www.lemonde.fr/en/les-decodeurs/article/2023/05/12/is-it-legal-in-france-for-demonstrators-to-march-with-their-faces-concealed_6026474_8.html https://www.lemonde.fr/en/les-decodeurs/article/2023/05/12/i... [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preventing_Persons_from_Concealing_Their_Identity_during_Riots_and_Unlawful_Assemblies_Act https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preventing_Persons_from_Concea...
- like_any_other 2mo ago
  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).
  - drysine 2mo ago
    Yep, we agree much more than disagree. Let the worms stay in that can)