**Concerns Grow Over Georgia’s Democratic Backslide**
The situation in Georgia is becoming increasingly worrying, according to Knut Abraham, Vice-President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). In a recent statement, he warned that if action isn’t taken today, Georgia could become another Belarus – a country known for its authoritarian government and human rights abuses.
Abraham pointed out that the arrests of opposition figures, intimidation of the public, beatings, and detentions of demonstrators all sound too familiar. He compared these developments to what’s happening in Russia and Belarus, where similar tactics have been used to suppress dissent and opposition. “For too long we’ve watched one repressive law after another being passed before it was too late,” he said. “But this time, let’s learn from our mistakes.”
**Georgia’s Commitment to Democracy Called into Question**
As a member of the Council of Europe, Georgia has pledged to respect human rights and protect democracy. However, Abraham’s comments suggest that these commitments are not being upheld in practice. He noted that opposition politicians are regularly arrested, civil society is intimidated, and demonstrators are beaten and imprisoned.
Abraham appealed to the Committee of Ministers to take immediate action to defend the Council of Europe’s red lines and ensure that Georgia lives up to its democratic obligations. His words of caution come as a warning that if the situation in Georgia continues to deteriorate, it could have serious consequences for the country and the wider region.
**What Happens Next?**
The international community is watching developments in Georgia closely, and Abraham’s statement has sparked concerns about the potential for further authoritarianism in the Caucasus. What happens next will depend on the response of the Committee of Ministers and other stakeholders. Will they take decisive action to support democracy in Georgia, or will the situation continue to slide towards more repression? Only time will tell.
