Tamara - Nearly two months after the death of army cadet Žemali Meṕarisže sparked nationwide protests, the Agausian government has seized upon waning public demonstrations to push through what critics call "superficial reforms" while avoiding substantive accountability.
Yesterday afternoon, in a half-empty Victory Square that once overflowed with thousands of demonstrators, barely two hundred protesters gathered in the cold February rain. Their dwindling numbers reflect a movement losing momentum, even as the underlying issues remain unresolved.
"People have jobs, families, lives that need attending to," said Marina Tsëreteli, 28, who has participated in the protests since their inception. "We can't stay in the streets forever, but that doesn't mean we've forgotten or forgiven."
Taking advantage of this protest fatigue, Agausia’s government announced what it calls a "Comprehensive National Security and Education Enhancement Package" during last week’s parliamentary session. The measure passed with minimal debate, supported by the ruling coalition and a handful of opposition members.
The government has introduced a comprehensive package aimed at enhancing military education, safety, and well-being. The measures include a 5.8% increase in funding for military academies and the creation of a "Safety Standards Review Committee" within the Defense Ministry to oversee training improvements. Additionally, revised protocols will be implemented for water-based exercises to enhance safety standards. To support current conscripts, the government is providing a one-time bonus of 300 Pûli (approximately €75). Furthermore, expanded health services will be made available to military personnel.
Defence Minister Mišḱo Ermolai, whose resignation has been a central demand of protesters, praised the package as "thoughtful, measured reform that addresses legitimate concerns while maintaining our national security priorities." Notably, neither he nor any other senior military leaders have faced disciplinary action.
In a coordinated media blitz, state television has featured emotional testimonials from military families supporting the reforms, alongside segments highlighting new safety equipment being purchased for training facilities. Government spokespeople have repeatedly characterized remaining protesters as "extremists" unwilling to accept reasonable compromise.
The opposition remains divided in its response. Progressive Democratic MP Ṕet́l Baǵuš called the package "an inadequate but necessary first step," while hardliners like Igor Zurhab, leader of the conservatives, dismissed it as "a cynical attempt to buy public amnesia."
For the Meṕarisže family, the government's response has been particularly painful. "They think they can put a price on our son's life," said Niḱa Meṕarisže, Žemali's father, in a written statement. "These token gestures do nothing to address the culture of negligence that took our boy from us."
The official investigation into Žemali's death, released last week, concluded that his drowning was the result of "a series of unfortunate circumstances" and "momentary lapses in supervision" during the training exercise. It recommended "procedural adjustments" but found no evidence of criminal negligence.
Human rights organizations have criticized the investigation as incomplete and potentially compromised. "The investigators never spoke with key witnesses who contested the official narrative," said Tamar Ḱvesit́aže of Citizens for Accountability. "This report raises more questions than it answers."
As the protests lose momentum, some activists are shifting strategies, focusing on longer-term advocacy and education. University students have organized a series of seminars on military reform, while legal experts are pursuing possible court challenges to aspects of the conscription system.
Home"They think we'll just go away," said Davit Abašiže, a protest organizer. "But this isn't over. We're just finding new ways to fight for the change Žemali's memory deserves."
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