**Georgia’s Slide into Authoritarianism: A Concern for the EU**
Lithuanian Member of European Parliament (MEP) Rasa Juknevičienė has sounded the alarm on Georgia’s deteriorating democratic situation. In a recent post on social media platform X, she highlighted two worrying developments that threaten to silence independent voices in the country.
Firstly, a new law imposed by Georgia’s government forces international donors to obtain approval from the government before funding non-governmental organizations (NGOs), media outlets, or civic groups. This means that any aid provided by European Union countries or other foreign governments can only reach these entities if they are deemed acceptable by the Georgian regime itself. As Juknevičienė pointed out, this is a clear case of “state capture,” where the government seeks to control and manipulate civil society.
But that’s not all – the government has also been forcing banks to hand over personal data of civil society leaders on trumped-up charges of “sabotage.” The courts, which are themselves under the regime’s control, have been used to justify this action. This is a direct attack on the rights and freedoms of Georgia’s citizens.
**A Familiar Pattern: Belarus in the Making?**
Juknevičienė’s comments echoed those made by critics of the Georgian government, who point out that these actions are reminiscent of the tactics employed by authoritarian regimes in other parts of the world. The most notable example is Belarus, where President Alexander Lukashenko has ruled with an iron fist for decades.
“It’s as if they’re trying to turn Georgia into Belarus,” Juknevičienė wrote, calling on the European Union to take decisive action to address this situation. She urged EU leaders to impose sanctions, conduct a thorough review of their relationship with Georgia, and call for new elections in the country.
**A Call to Action: What’s Next for the EU?**
As concerns grow about Georgia’s slide into authoritarianism, the EU has a critical role to play in defending democratic values and human rights. By imposing sanctions and reviewing its policy towards Georgia, the bloc can send a strong signal that it will not tolerate such behavior.
However, this is more than just a matter of diplomatic niceties – it’s about protecting the rights and freedoms of Georgian citizens, who are being targeted by their own government for speaking out against injustice. The EU must act decisively to support Georgia’s democratic forces and ensure that the country does not follow in the footsteps of Belarus.
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