We condemn the decision of the Georgian Dream party to stop efforts to start accession negotiations with the European Union, which contradicts its campaign promises, – reads the statement issued by Ulrich Lechte, Foreign Policy Spokesperson of the German Free Democratic Party Parliamentary Group, Jürgen Hardt, Foreign Policy Spokesperson of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Christian Social Union (CSU) Parliamentary Groups, Niels Schmid, Foreign Policy Spokesperson of the German Social Democratic Party Parliamentary Group, and Deborah Dühring, Foreign Policy Spokesperson of the Alliance 90/ Greens Parliamentary Group, in connection with the ongoing protests in Georgia.
Based on the statement, this decision by the Georgian Dream represents a departure from the policies of all previous Georgian governments and from the aspirations of the overwhelming majority of the Georgian people for integration into the European Union.
The German MEPs note that the protests in Georgia have reached a critical point. The police have used tear gas, water cannons and rubber bullets to disperse the demonstrators. Several hundred people have been detained, most of whom have spoken of violence and inhuman treatment by the security forces.
“There is a risk of increased repression by those in power. We are deeply concerned about the restrictions on the rights of those Georgians who courageously take to the streets for their European and democratic future to protest the Georgian Dream’s intention to r the EU integration process. We strongly condemn the use of violence against the demonstrators. We call on the relevant authorities to stop the violence against peaceful demonstrators and to immediately end the detention of protesters. We reiterate that the right to peaceful assembly is a fundamental right that must be strictly respected. All acts of violence must be investigated and those responsible must be held accountable,” reads the statement.
The German MEPs underline that the federal government supports targeted sanctions at EU level against those responsible for serious human rights violations against peaceful demonstrators.
“At the national level, entry bans have already been imposed on nine key individuals. We welcome the fact that bilateral cooperation is being tested and that many support measures have already been suspended. We reiterate our strong support for the legitimate European aspirations, prosperity and democracy of the Georgian people. We stand firmly with the democrats in Georgia and will continue to assist Georgian civil society in returning the country to a democratic and European path. What is needed now is a pluralistic process to restore and consolidate democratic principles, after which free and fair parliamentary elections can be held,” reads the statement.
