**European Parliament Calls for Tougher Action Against Georgian Dream**
The European Parliament has passed a resolution urging the EU to take further action against the Georgian government, led by the Georgian Dream party. The move comes as the country’s democratic backsliding continues, with restrictions on civil society, media freedom, and opposition activities.
According to the document, the European Parliament condemns the adoption of legislation that facilitates political persecution, restricts assembly rights, and shrinks space for civil society and independent media. This includes a “foreign agents” law, which is reminiscent of Russian-style policies.
**Restrictive Measures Called For**
The resolution calls on the EU to consider further restrictive measures against the Georgian Dream regime, such as disconnecting from SWIFT or imposing sectoral sanctions. These measures are aimed at cutting off financial flows and sources of income for the ruling party.
Additionally, the European Parliament urges the EU to impose coordinated and bilateral personal sanctions on key political leaders, government officials, and enablers of the regime across various sectors. The resolution welcomes existing sanctions imposed by Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, and other like-minded partners.
**Support for Georgian Civil Society**
The European Parliament expresses concern over the recent wave of attacks against NGOs and demands made by state institutions that organizations provide detailed financial information within a short timeframe. It stresses the urgent need to support Georgia’s civil society and independent media in the face of increasing repression.
The resolution calls on the Commission to increase and urgently disburse financial support to civil society organizations, independent media, and human rights defenders. It also urges EU funding mechanisms to be adjusted to respond to needs arising in hostile and anti-democratic environments.
**Concerns Over Vulnerable Groups**
The European Parliament expresses deep concern that the Georgian government’s actions will disproportionately affect women, minorities, migrants, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, those living below the poverty line, and other vulnerable or at-risk groups. The resolution strongly condemns the adoption of anti-LGBT legislation and calls for its repeal.
**EU Action Needed**
The European Parliament emphasizes that existing measures taken by the EU are insufficient to address the gravity of the situation in Georgia. It regrets the absence of proactive measures from the Council and Commission, urging them to take urgent action to coordinate efforts and overcome political obstacles.
The resolution calls on EU leadership to unite like-minded member states to undertake coordinated actions and adopt EU-wide sanctions against key figures responsible for democratic backsliding, election fraud, human rights violations, and persecution of opponents.
**Suspension of Visa-Free Travel**
The European Parliament welcomes the decision by the European Council to suspend visa-free travel for Georgian diplomats and officials as a first step in response to negative developments in Georgia. It calls on the Commission and Council to review Georgia’s visa-free status, with possible suspension if standards of democratic governance and freedoms are not met.
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