Renowned human rights advocate and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Tawakkol Karman, participated in the third Tbilisi International Women's Conference held in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, from June 28 to 30, 2024.

During this significant event, Karman delivered a powerful speech emphasizing the importance of Georgia's European path and addressing critical global issues.

In her address, Mrs. Karman emphasized that Georgia's integration into the European Union was not merely a political choice but a necessity for fostering democracy, safeguarding human rights, and ensuring economic stability in the region. She emphasized that Georgia's journey towards European integration would contribute to global peace and security.

Acknowledging the current global security challenges, Mrs. Karman drew attention to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the significance of striving for peace, stability, and unity in the face of injustice, tyranny, and occupation. She highlighted that the Russian aggression against Ukraine posed a threat not only to one nation but to the entire European stability and the world at large. Calling upon the international community and the European Union, she urged for strengthened solidarity and collective action against tyrants and their destructive ambitions.

Mrs. Karman also drew parallels between the wars waged by Russia against both Ukraine and Georgia. She reminded the audience that Russia's aggression against Georgia, similar to its actions against Ukraine, demonstrated the nation's imperialistic ambitions and its perception of these countries as extensions of its influence and control. While acknowledging the European Union's promises of support and assistance for independent, democratic, and strong Georgia and Ukraine, Mrs. Karman emphasized the need for the EU to stand firm in the face of Putin's aggression.

Highlighting the vulnerability of both nations, Mrs. Karman stressed that true protection could be achieved through their inclusion in the European Union and NATO. Despite the European Union's support for Ukraine, the two countries continue to face challenges and remain susceptible to Russia's oppressive tactics and imperialistic endeavors.

In addition to addressing the Ukrainian and Georgian struggles, Mrs. Karman expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people in Gaza, who were enduring a war characterized by genocide and unprecedented ethnic cleansing. She vehemently condemned this unjust war and called for its immediate cessation, joining people around the world in demanding an end to the atrocities being committed.

The third Tbilisi International Women's Conference brought together a distinguished gathering of participants, including heads of state and government, ministers, leaders of international and non-governmental organizations, as well as representatives from media, industry, and society.

Herein follows the speech transcript:

I welcome you all to this important 3rd Annual Tbilisi Women's International Conference, which will focus on Georgia's European path.

This significant subject reflects our great ambition and commitment as women to a more prosperous and secure world. Georgia’s accession to the European Union is not just a political choice; it is a necessity for strengthening democracy, human rights, and economic stability in the region, as well as achieving global peace and security.

Dear friends, 

you know that the global security situation today is at one of its most perilous points. The war in Ukraine reminds us of the importance of striving for peace, stability, and unity in the face of injustice, tyranny, and occupation. Russian aggression against Ukraine poses a threat not only to one country but to the stability of Europe and the world as a whole. Therefore, the international community and the European Union, which should be at the forefront of defending the freedoms of people worldwide, must work to strengthen solidarity and joint action against tyrants and their occupying and destructive ambitions.

I would like to remind you that before the Russian war on Ukraine, a similar war was waged by Russia against Georgia about sixteen years ago, with the same justifications that Russia uses today against Ukraine.

The issues faced by both Ukraine and Georgia are similar. Putin’s Russia, with its tsarist ambitions, perceives these countries as mere extensions of its influence, control, and dominion. Meanwhile, the European Union, despite its promises of support and assistance for an independent, democratic, and strong Georgia and Ukraine, often falls short when faced with the brutal reality of Putin’s aggression.

It is crucial for both countries to be part of the European Union and NATO if Europe genuinely aims to protect them. Yet, despite the support provided by the European Union to Ukraine, both countries remain vulnerable to the oppression and imperialistic ambitions of Putin’s Russia.

Dear friends, 

while I express my unwavering solidarity with the peoples of Georgia and Ukraine, I must also extend my sympathy and commitment to the Palestinian people in Gaza, who are currently enduring a war characterized by genocide and unprecedented ethnic cleansing, atrocities unseen since World War II. I condemn this unjust war and join all free people around the world in calling for its immediate cessation. Please accept my heartfelt greetings and wishes for the success of this conference.

To the people of Georgia and Ukraine, I offer all my love, support, and solidarity. Your struggle is our struggle. May glory and victory be yours.

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