The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has adopted a resolution on Georgia, expressing deep concern over the country’s continued democratic backsliding and warning that current developments are incompatible with the country’s obligations as a Council of Europe member.
The resolution was approved by 83 votes in favor, with five against and four abstentions.
Based on the adopted text, democratic regression in Georgia continues unabated, alongside increasing pressure on civil society, the political opposition, independent media, and dissenting voices. The Assembly notes that none of its previously issued urgent recommendations have been implemented.
“The persistent failure of democracy in Georgia and the lack of response to the Assembly’s recommendations raise serious doubts about the authorities’ willingness to fulfill Georgia’s obligations as a member of the Council of Europe,” the resolution states.
At the same time, PACE stresses that it remains committed to maintaining an open and results-oriented dialogue with the Georgian authorities, as well as with all political and social stakeholders in the country.
The Assembly also strongly criticizes the initiative to ban virtually all democratic opposition parties and prosecute their leaders on what it describes as politically motivated and fabricated charges.
“It reiterates that, if this course continues, it would effectively establish a one-party dictatorship in Georgia, violating the fundamental principles of democracy and becoming incompatible with Council of Europe membership. The Assembly calls on the Georgian authorities to immediately withdraw their application to the Constitutional Court seeking to ban democratic opposition parties and to end the unjust and politically motivated criminal prosecution of their leaders,” the resolution states.
PACE further argues that the continued suppression of the democratic opposition, civil society, and independent media, combined with extreme political polarization, means that Georgia currently lacks the conditions necessary for genuinely democratic elections.
The Assembly again urges the Georgian authorities to launch an open and inclusive political process involving all political forces and civil society representatives to restore a free and democratic political environment in line with the aspirations of Georgian society.
The resolution also calls for an immediate end to restrictions on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, including through what it describes as repressive legislation and politically motivated legal proceedings targeting civil society organizations, independent media, opposition figures, and protesters.
PACE expresses concern that politically motivated prosecutions aimed at silencing dissent raise the risk of political prisoners. It specifically condemns what it calls politically motivated and disproportionate prison sentences imposed on opposition leaders and other individuals, including Nika Melia and Elene Khoshtaria, on “clearly fabricated charges.”
The Assembly calls on the authorities to repeal recently adopted legislation, particularly amendments to the Criminal Code, the Law on Political Associations of Citizens, and the Code of Administrative Offenses. It also reiterates its recommendation that the current Code of Administrative Offenses be replaced with new legislation drafted in close consultation with the Council of Europe and aligned with European legal standards and the European Convention on Human Rights.
The resolution emphasizes the vital role of a dynamic and pluralistic civil society in a functioning democracy and condemns what it describes as the rapidly shrinking space for civil society and independent media.
PACE calls for the repeal of the Foreign Influence Transparency Law, the Foreign Agents Registration Law (GEOFARA), and recent amendments to the Law on Grants, in accordance with the recommendations of the Venice Commission.
The Assembly also voices concern over the impact of recent education reforms on academic freedom, stressing the need to safeguard the independence of higher education institutions. It urges the government to establish a transparent and independent mechanism to oversee the privatization of university assets under the proposed “one city – one faculty” reform.
In addition, PACE regrets that no credible investigation has been conducted into allegations of police brutality, torture, and other human rights violations committed during demonstrations. It expresses particular concern over reports that prohibited chemical agents were used to disperse protests in Tbilisi and calls for an urgent, independent, and effective investigation.
The Assembly further urges Georgia to fully implement the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, including those in Tsaava and Others v. Georgia, Meqvabishvili v. Georgia, Makharashvili and Others v. Georgia, as well as dozens of other pending cases.
Finally, PACE endorses the findings of the OSCE Moscow Mechanism report, initiated by 24 OSCE participating states, stating that its conclusions are consistent with previous Assembly assessments of democratic backsliding in Georgia and calling on the Georgian authorities to fully implement its recommendations.
