The Bureau of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe has adopted the following Declaration:
“The Bureau of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, meeting in Strasbourg on 5 December 2024, expresses its concern about the situation in Georgia following the government’s decision to suspend accession negotiations with the European Union.
“It condemns in this regard the violent handling of peaceful demonstrations protesting this decision, and, in line with the call of the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, reiterates the need for effective protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms – including freedom of assembly. It calls on all parties to exercise restraint and seek a solution to the situation through constructive political dialogue. It condemns in particular the violence currently being committed in Georgia against locally elected representatives. It underlines that as a member of the Council of Europe, Georgia is obliged to respect democratic values, the rule of law and human rights. This obligation is binding on Georgia if it wishes to remain a member of the Council of Europe.
“The Bureau considers that the government’s decision adds to the increasing concerns regarding the Georgian authorities’ commitment to upholding European democratic principles and to moving towards a European future based on shared values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law at all levels of government.
“The Bureau reiterates the call made by the Congress in its Declaration 10 (2024) “The situation in Georgia”, adopted on 17 October 2024, for Georgia to return to the path of democratic consolidation and recommit to democratic principles, and strongly hopes that the Georgian authorities will remain committed to pursuing reforms based on Council of Europe principles and standards, including the strengthening of local self-government in line with the European Charter of Local Self-Government.
“It further reiterates the call on the Georgian authorities to refrain from taking any actions that would further polarise society, threaten political pluralism, infringe on human rights or undermine the foundations of democracy, all of which would be detrimental to local self-government in Georgia while the country is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Charter’s ratification on 8 December.
“The Bureau reaffirms the commitment of the Congress to pursuing constructive political dialogue with the Georgian authorities, notably in the framework of a future high-level visit to Georgia, and to supporting the efforts that must be made by the Georgian authorities at all levels of government, in collaboration with all relevant partners and notably civil society and youth, to safeguard human rights, uphold the rule of law and promote democracy at the level closest to citizens.”
