US Ambassador highlights democratic struggles at Independence Day event in Georgia

At a July 2 event in Tbilisi marking the 249th anniversary of US Independence, Ambassador Robin Dunnigan underscored the importance of democracy and the growing threats it faces globally.

“This year, more than ever, I’ve been trying to reflect more deeply on the meaning of democracy,” Dunnigan said. “Even today, many are forced to fight for the protection of democracy — political opponents face the threat of imprisonment, civil society has become a target, and citizens with differing views are being labeled ‘radicals’.”

Quoting US Vice President Kamala Harris, Dunnigan added: “You cannot claim a democratic mandate by silencing your opponents or putting them in jail.”

The ambassador’s remarks come shortly before she is set to depart Georgia, concluding a 33-year diplomatic career alongside her husband. “From the day we arrived, you opened your hearts and homes to us. You made us feel like we belonged in a Georgian family,” she said. “A part of my heart will remain here. I will never stop believing in Georgia’s democratic future.”

This year’s celebration took place against the backdrop of a suspended strategic partnership between the US and Georgia — the first such occasion in years. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze did not attend the event.

Washington halted the strategic partnership on November 30, 2024, following the ruling Georgian Dream party’s adoption of the so-called “foreign agents law,” despite repeated calls from the US and EU to abandon the legislation. The law’s passage triggered mass protests, which were violently dispersed by authorities.

In response, the US imposed visa sanctions on more than 100 individuals linked to the Georgian Dream government, including lawmakers, security officials, and private actors. The sanction process began in June 2024 and remains ongoing.