The European Parliament has passed a resolution condemning the “brutal violence and repression” against protesters in Georgia since November 28, 2024. The resolution highlights specific cases, including the arrest of Mzia Amaghlobeli, the director of Batumelebi/Netgazeti, who remains on hunger strike. It also denounces the attack on former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia by GD’s MPs and the subsequent detention of opposition leaders Elene Khoshtaria, Nika Melia, and Gigi Ugulava.
The resolution addresses the mounting pressure on civil society organizations and condemns the launch of investigations against NGOs. It also characterizes the cancellation of 49 parliamentary mandates of opposition MPs as a clear sign of democratic backsliding and an attack on political pluralism.
MEPs call on the European Commission to reallocate the frozen EUR 120 million originally intended for government support towards strengthening Georgia‘s civil society and independent media, which are “increasingly coming under undue pressure from the ruling political party and the authorities.”
They also urge the European Commission and Council to review Georgia’s visa-free status, with the possibility of suspension if EU standards on democratic governance and freedoms are not being upheld. The EP demands the release of former President Mikheil Saakashvili on humanitarian grounds for medical treatment abroad.
The resolution expresses deep concern over Russia‘s rising influence in Georgia and the GD party’s “policy of rapprochement” and “growing anti-Western and hostile rhetoric towards Georgia’s strategic Western partners.”