The chairs of the foreign affairs committees in the European parliaments, MPs, and MEPs have issued a joint statement on Georgia.
The signatories expressed their sadness for “Georgia’s recent democratic backsliding”.
The document mentions the October 26th elections and expresses concern that the parliamentary election in Georgia was held “with a number of incidents and systematic violations unprecedented”.
The statement stresses the need for an independent international investigation.
“We are in full solidarity with nations who are committed to democracy, fundamental rights, and the rule of the law. We stand firmly behind the Georgian people and the European choice they made.
We note with sadness the recent democratic backsliding in Georgia, including the adoption of anti-European laws that limit the space for an independent civil society and the protection of human rights.
We are deeply concerned about the fact that international observers have noted a number of systemic violations and incidents during the October 26 Georgian parliamentary elections.
We note that the protection of the rule-of-law and fairness in elections are integral parts and the basis of European values to which Georgia as a candidate for the European Union must show loyalty.
We demand that Georgian officials guarantee:All allegations of election manipulation (including during pre-election periods) will be transparently examined, especially voter intimidation.
Only an independent international investigation that is able to study and investigate all violations observed during these election, the pre-election and during the election period can be conducted because the allegations are so serious.
Transparency and accessibility of voting records will allow every voter to confirm that the information about the time, place and fact of their vote are correct.
“We should call for legislation that undermines the fundamental freedoms and rights of Georgian citizens, organizations and businesses, and contradicts values and principles based on the European Union,” said the statement.
They also call on the European Union to sanction officials, such as BidzinaIvanishvili, who are “responsible for violations of the electoral process”.
“We call upon the European Union and its transatlantic allies, to sanction Georgian officials, political leaders and Bidzina Ivanishvili for violating the electoral process, including the misuse of state institutions and administrative assets during the election process.
“We demand that all EU funding for projects of aid and cooperation of state and public institutions in Georgia be frozen, except those that are involved in the establishment civil society and rule-of-law structures.
We know that visa freedom is important, especially for youth. We call on the European Commission to review the visa-liberalization regime with Georgia, without excluding its possible suspension if these [conditions] aren’t met.
We will continue to stand with the Georgian people in their European choice. “We will continue to unwaveringly support Georgia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence within internationally recognized boundaries,” the joint declaration, which has 30 signatures, states.
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