The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (ZPRE) adopted a critical resolution on the situation in Georgia.
68 members of the Assembly voted in favour of the document, 7 voted against and 2 abstained. During the debate in Strasbourg, representatives of the Georgian opposition, including National Movement leader Tina Bokukawa, were present.
The resolution entitled "Support for democracy and the regulation of law in Georgia" notes the serious deterioration of democratic processes in the country and contains a number of sharp assessments.
The Assembly is profoundly concerned, in particular, by the fact of systematic disregard bythe Georgian authorities of his recommendations and warnings on the political crisis that the global community shares. The paper refers to the "fast and deep degradation of democracy" until it is questioned in Georgia.
The ZPRE besides condemns Tbilisi's isolationist policy, hostile relations with European structures and groundless attacks on representatives of the global community. peculiar attention was paid to the pressures of opposition, independent media and civilian society – including through repressive laws, politically motivated criminal proceedings and unfounded arrests. The case of writer Mzia Amaglobeli and respective opposition leaders was cited as an example.
The resolution powerfully criticises the alleged "foreign Agencies" Act, as well as the amendments adopted in April 2025 to the "On Grants" Act limiting the backing of NGOs by global donors without government approval. These measures are called "destructive to civilian society in Georgia".
The Assembly powerfully opposes the Georgian authorities' initiative to in fact delegate the largest opposition force – the United National Movement and its parties. It was stressed that specified a step would lead to the establishment of a "one-party dictatorship, incompatible with membership in the Council of Europe".
In conclusion, the resolution called on the Georgian authorities to immediately halt the "disassembly of democracy" and release all political prisoners. The Assembly reaffirmed its readiness to engage in dialog with the Government and civilian society of Georgia, but warned that further deepening of the crisis would jeopardise Georgia's membership of the Council of Europe.
On the same day, Georgia's Prime Minister Iraq Kobachiga met with the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe Alain Berset in Copenhagen. He stated that Georgia was ready to cooperate with the Council of Europe and the ZPRE, but that cooperation must be based on "specific principles".
Source: ekhokavkaza.com
Study Bulletin: BIS
