Visa-free travel to the European Union—one of the key guarantees of free movement for Georgian citizens—is now under serious threat, several non-governmental organizations warned at a briefing on Tuesday.
NGO representatives claim that the government has failed to implement the recommendations issued by the EU in 2024. These included safeguarding fundamental rights, repealing restrictive legislation, and pursuing a systematic fight against corruption at all levels. Instead, they said, 2025 has brought further setbacks to Georgia’s European integration.
“Following the rigged 2024 elections, Georgia now has 65 prisoners of conscience. The government has adopted additional repressive laws, and the persecution of citizens continues. By August 31, 2025, the authorities must report to the EU on the situation in the country. Yet instead of addressing the political crisis and improving the human rights environment, the government has only intensified its anti-Western propaganda,” the statement reads.
The organizations stress that such actions risk undermining Georgian citizens’ right to visa-free travel, which allows them to visit relatives, travel freely, access medical care, study, work, and develop within the European space.
“Georgia is part of the European family, and like more than 80% of the population, we believe its future lies in the EU. The government’s chosen course, however, endangers this future,” they emphasized.
The NGOs also cited recent remarks by the EU Ambassador, who underscored that returning to the European path requires halting repression, releasing political prisoners, abolishing repressive laws, and engaging in open, credible dialogue to resolve the crisis.
“Civil society holds the government fully responsible for any negative decision on visa-free travel. Abandoning our European future is unacceptable. Protecting visa-free travel and Georgia’s European path is essential,” the statement concluded.
Photo: NGO members. Source: 1TV
