The Georgian government must change course, Edite Estrela said during the debate on Georgia at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) while presenting a resolution entitled “Upholding Democracy and the Rule of Law in Georgia”.
She said that despite repeated warnings, the political and social situation in Georgia has deteriorated.
“Georgia is in the midst of a deep political crisis driven by context of elections, democratic backsliding and confrontation between the ruling party and the opposition. The resolution we present to you addresses a crisis that can no longer be ignored.
The situation in Georgia is of grave concern. In the resolution we therefore take stock of developments that have taken place in Georgia since our last debate. We deeply regret that no progress has been made regarding our recommendations. On the contrary, the democratic backsliding has increased despite our repeated warnings. The political and social situation in Georgia has gotten worse. The authorities seem to be uninterested in dialogue and cooperation. They rejected cooperation with the Venice Commission and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities. The Georgian authorities silenced opposition voices, put in prison journalists and civil society leaders, blocked the respected election observers, undermined the civil society with restrictive laws. Laws, such as the foreign agent registration act and law on grants are strangling NGOs while freezing their bank accounts.
Thousands of public servants have reportedly been filed for pro European Union protest activity.
But perhaps most alarming of all is the declared intention to ban opposition parties under the pretext of political investigations. If implemented, this would dismantle pluralism, silence all democratic alternatives and move Georgia towards a one-party state.
These actions are incompatible with Georgia’s obligations as a member of the Council of Europe. They represent not only a betrayal of democratic values, but a direct challenge to the principles on which this organization is built.
This deterioration needs to stop, the grave democratic backsliding needs to be reversed, the assembly’s recommendations and demands need to be implemented without delay.
Meanwhile, the international community has expressed concern. The European Union and others have raised alarms about human rights abuses, restrictions on civil society and erosion of democratic rules.
The Georgian government must reverse its course, its course. It must restore fundamental freedoms, stop political persecution and re-engage with the Council of Europe in good faith.
Dialogue remains possible, but only based on respect for our shared values. By adopting this resolution, we stand not against Georgia, but with its people, with their right to democracy, pluralism and hope for a European future”, said the MEP.
Edite Estrela: The Georgian government must reverse its course – the democratic backsliding must stop, recommendations and demands must be implemented
