The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) has adopted the Hague Declaration, reaffirming its support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity while expressing concern over the country’s democratic developments and calling on the authorities to safeguard fundamental freedoms.
The declaration reiterates the Assembly’s support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, and condemns Russia’s continued occupation of the regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia/Tskhinvali region.
The Assembly expresses “serious concern” over developments in Georgia following the 2024 parliamentary elections, citing what it describes as democratic backsliding, violence against protesters, opposition representatives and journalists, restrictions on independent media, and attempts to ban leading opposition parties. It notes that these concerns are reflected in the OSCE Moscow Mechanism report published in March 2026.
Based on the declaration, the Assembly reaffirms its support for the Georgian people, democratic governance, political pluralism, and the protection of fundamental freedoms, stressing the importance of safeguarding democratic institutions, upholding the rule of law, and ensuring that political processes remain inclusive, transparent, and consistent with Georgia’s OSCE commitments.
The Assembly calls on the Georgian authorities to ensure that civil society organizations, independent media, and opposition representatives can operate freely and safely, refrain from violence and politically motivated persecution, promote an inclusive political process based on democratic principles and OSCE commitments, and swiftly implement the recommendations contained in the Moscow Mechanism report.
The declaration also highlights the findings of the 2026 OSCE Moscow Mechanism report, which refers to democratic backsliding, including restrictions on fundamental freedoms and judicial independence through legislative, administrative, and criminal measures that it says are inconsistent with international human rights obligations. It also points to what the report describes as an alarming pattern of violence, which in some cases allegedly reached the threshold of torture.
The Assembly notes the visit of a high-level OSCE Parliamentary Assembly delegation to Georgia in March 2026 as a positive step toward strengthening parliamentary engagement and dialogue.
In addition, the declaration expresses support for inclusive dialogue and the peaceful resolution of political tensions in Georgia. It strongly condemns legislation that it says restricts civil society, media freedom, and the rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly, as well as the excessive and indiscriminate use of force against peaceful protesters, journalists, and civil society representatives.
The Assembly calls for the repeal of such legislation, the immediate end to violence, intimidation, and arbitrary detentions, the release of individuals detained for peacefully exercising their rights, and prompt, independent investigations into all allegations of excessive use of force, including during the 2024 protests, with accountability for perpetrators and compensation for victims.
Related story: Georgian delegation walks out of OSCE PA vote in protest over Hague declaration
