**Georgia’s Opposition Leaders Boycott OSCE Secretary General**
The opposition leaders in Georgia have refused to meet with the OSCE Secretary General, Feridun Sinirlioğlu. Zurab Japaridze, a leader of the “Coalition for Change,” explained why they decided not to engage with him.
According to Japaridze, the visit by the OSCE Secretary General seemed like a mere formality. He pointed out that during the last visit by the president of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, the opposition was not informed and only met with representatives of the government later on. This raised suspicions that the visit was used to legitimize the regime.
**A Politically Motivated Visit?**
Japaridze expressed his concerns that such visits should be coordinated with other opposition actors to ensure a clear purpose is served. He emphasized that anyone visiting Georgia, including those from international organizations like the OSCE, should have a specific goal in mind. This includes meeting with families of political prisoners, visiting prisons, and discussing human rights abuses.
However, during Sinirlioğlu’s visit, none of these essential steps were taken. Japaridze felt that the OSCE Secretary General seemed more interested in holding a press conference than addressing the country’s severe political crisis.
**A Message of Unity**
The “Coalition for Change” has made it clear that their representatives will not meet with the OSCE Secretary General. In a statement, they emphasized the importance of clarity and consistency in defeating the regime and achieving the historic goals of the Georgian people.
This move reflects a unified stance by the opposition against what they perceive as a politically motivated visit. By boycotting Sinirlioğlu’s meeting, they are sending a strong message that their concerns will not be ignored.
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