On the democratic backsliding and threats to political pluralism in Georgia
B-10-2024-0070
on behalf of the Renew Group · Rapporteur: Urmas Paet, Petras Auštrevičius, Dan Barna, Helmut Brandstätter, Benoit Cassart, Olivier Chastel, Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, Bernard Guetta, Ľubica Karvašová, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, MarieAgnes StrackZimmermann, Hilde Vautmans, Lucia Yar, Dainius Žalimas
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The resolution condemns Georgia's adoption of laws on 'transparency of foreign influence' and 'family values and protection of minors', the abolition of gender quotas, and changes to the Central Election Commission, saying they are incompatible with EU norms and values.¶ It urges the Georgian Dream majority to withdraw the legislation, reintroduce quotas, implement Venice Commission recommendations, and cease attacks on civil society and LGBTIQ+ people.¶ It calls for freezing EU funding to the Georgian Government until the laws are repealed, imposing sanctions on officials involved in human rights violations, and urging Georgia to impose sanctions on Russia.¶¶¶ It demands free and fair October 2024 elections with international observers, and expresses concern over police brutality and obstacles to NGO campaigns.¶¶¶
Key points
- Strongly condemns the adoption of the 'transparency of foreign influence' and 'family values and protection of minors' legislation, the abolition of gender quotas, and changes in the formation of the Central Election Commission.¶
- Urges the Georgian Dream majority to withdraw the legislation, reintroduce gender quotas, ensure a consensus-based political process, and implement Venice Commission recommendations.¶
- Calls for the EU funding to the Georgian Government to be frozen until the illiberal pieces of legislation are repealed, and for strict conditions on future funding.¶
- Calls for the Commission to assess how Georgia's legislation affects its fulfilment of visa liberalisation benchmarks.¶
- Calls for the EU and its Member States to impose sanctions on Georgian officials involved in human rights violations or democratic backsliding, and on Bidzina Ivanishvili.¶
- Urges Georgia to impose sanctions on Russia and align with EU foreign policy, expressing concern over alignment with Russian policies.¶
- Calls for full support to Georgian civil society organisations, including on fines and other burdens imposed by new legislation.¶
- Urges Georgian authorities to ensure October 2024 parliamentary elections adhere to international standards, abolish misuse of public resources, and allow domestic and international observers.¶
- Expresses concern over obstacles to the 'Go Out and Vote' campaign by NGOs and police brutality during protests, calling for investigations.¶¶
- Reiterates calls for an international election observation mission by the OSCE/ODIHR and for the release of former President Mikheil Saakashvili.¶¶
Who is affected
- The Georgian Government and ruling party, which are urged to withdraw legislation and implement reforms.¶¶
- Civil society and media organisations in Georgia, which are supported and protected from fines and burdens.¶
- LGBTIQ+ people in Georgia, whose rights are stripped by the law on 'family values and protection of minors'.¶
- Georgian commercial banks, which are urged to implement international sanctions.¶