What changed

B100283/2025

B100288/2025

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on The situation of media freedom in Georgia, particularly the case of Mzia Amaglobeli

(2025/2752(RSP))

-havinghaving regard to Rule 150(5)150 (5) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas the exercise of freedom of opinion, expression, association and peaceful assembly is a fundamental right enshrined in the Georgian constitution;

A. whereas, on 12 January 2025 Mzia Amaglobeli, journalist, was arrested on 12 January 2025

B. whereas Georgia, as a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights, has committed itself to the principles of democracy, the rule of law and respect for fundamental freedoms and human rights;

after slapping Batumi police chief Irakli Dgebuadze in the face, which was classified as a criminal offense of “assaulting a police offer” under Article 353 of the Criminal Code of Georgia;

C. whereas UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk recently called on the Georgian authorities to respect and protect the rights to freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly;

B. whereas the Batumi City Court hearings in the trial have been attended by diplomats from different EU Member States;

D. whereas several international NGOs are expressing growing concern over the media freedom situation in the country, in particular for the amendments introduced to the Law on Broadcasting;

C. whereas Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk is pushing the EU to suspend or limit Georgia’s visa-free travel;

E. whereas Georgian journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli, founder and director of the online newspapers Batumelebi and Netgazeti, is facing charges of assaulting a police officer—carrying a sentence of up to seven years in prison;

1. Emphasises that the arrest of Amaglobeli happened within the context of the street protests of the opposition, demanding a re-run of the parliamentary elections of October 2024 and that the trial is taking place against the background of a very polarised political environment;

1. Emphasises that the rights to freedom of expression and assembly and to peaceful protest are fundamental freedoms and must be respected in all circumstances; expresses concern over reports of the unnecessary and disproportionate use of force against demonstrators; condemns the arrest of the journalist Mzia Amaglobeli;

2. Affirms that the parliamentary elections of 26 October 2024 were free and fair, conducted in broad compliance with national and international legal standards and that the Georgian people made a clear choice regarding the composition of their new government;

2. Calls on the Government of Georgia to respect for fundamental freedoms and human rights, in particular freedom of press and political rights;

3. Is concerned about the active involvement of foreign actors in actions of the opposition, aimed at overthrowing the elected government through street power and other extra-constitutional means; warns the EU that by supporting efforts to overturn a legitimate election result because of dissatisfaction with its outcome, it is undermining democracy in Georgia and fuelling polarisation and instability;

3. Call for the release of Mzia Amaglobeli and call the Georgian authorities to fully guarantee independent journalists freedom of expression and media pluralism, according to its own constitution and its international obligations;

4. Considers that decisive in the conflict between civil society organisations (CSOs) and the ruling Georgian Dream party, is the partisan role that many opposition-linked CSOs have taken, agitating for the overthrow of the government; notes, furthermore, that there is a lack of public trust in CSOs due to a mismatch between the issues CSOs work on and the economic concerns of the majority of the population;

4. Stresses that Georgia’s future must be determined by the will of its people, free from external pressure or interference; emphasises that Georgia’s sovereignty and political trajectory should reflect the aspirations of its citizens; condemns any attempts, whether foreign or domestic, to undermine Georgia’s democratic institutions;

5. Calls on the EU to end its confrontational approach and to avoid a black-and-white contrast between the different parties; urges the EU to recognise the complexity of the situation in Georgia and not to continue its current policy, which only increases the polarisation of Georgian society and politics;

5. Recalls that the EU accession process is based on objective criteria; regrets the European Council’s decision to suspend financial assistance to Georgia; underlines the benefits of the visa facilitation agreement and the need to maintain it; emphasises the need for a constructive dialogue between the Government of Georgia and the EU;

6. Notes that the online media environment in Georgia is diverse and that content on a wide range of topics is available; notes that the online environment is free due to strong internet access and limited website blocking; notes that there are few explicit restrictions on internet access and online content; notes that, in general, online content is not subject to deletion, and government requests to remove online content are relatively rare;

6.7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the VP/HR,Council, the Council,Commission, the Commission,Vice-President of the governmentsCommission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and parliamentsSecurity ofPolicy, the MemberEuropean States,External Action Service, the UNgovernments asand wellparliaments asof the Member States, and the President, Governmentgovernment and Parliamentparliament of the Georgia.