After a series of debates about Georgia, the German Bundestag passed a resolution on October 10 entitled “A European Future For Georgia” which highlighted the country’s democratic backsliding as well as the anti-democratic acts of the current GD Government. The resolution calls for the German Federal Government take concrete actions in response. The coalition parties SPD, Alliance 90/The Greens, and FDP (20/13222) initiated the motion. The coalition factions voted for it, while the Union faction, AfD faction, and BSW group voted no. The Left group abstained.
The resolution begins with the following: “It’s primarily due to Georgia’s brave civil society and its decades-long dedication to democracy, the rule of law and freedom and independence that Georgia has developed into one of the more progressive and democratic countries in the region, which has moved towards the European Union.” It also notes that while both the UNM government and GD government initially made progress toward the EU, “both governments have seen setbacks.”
The resolution states that “by pursuing an authoritarian, anti-European path, the current Georgian government is putting Georgia’s EU future at risk, against the wishes of a large majority of Georgians.”
The report goes on to detail anti-democratic acts of the GD Government, including the controversial legislation it has passed, reversing the country’s stated European Foreign Policy, the repression and crackdown of civil society as well as the other authoritarian trends in the country before crucial elections.
The resolution also mentions GD Honorary Chairman Bidzina ivanishvili. It states that “the goal of holding on to power for the honorary chair and founder of the Party, Georgian oligarch Bidzina ivanishvili is being prioritized above Georgia’s European Future and democratic stability.”
The Bundestag urges the Federal Government of Germany, among other things, to act on the GD-adopted laws, such as the Foreign Agents Law and the anti-LGBT Law, as well as upcoming parliamentary election and visa-free travel.
The Bundestag urges the German government to “insist” on a European level “that no further progress is made in Georgia’s EU membership process” while the Foreign Agents Law is in force.
The resolution also calls on Germany to “work” at the European Level to ensure that the Georgian Government is asked to withdraw the legislation restricting LGBT+ people’s right and the so-called “Offshore Law” in the context of EU Integration. The resolution argues that the anti-LGBT legislation, constitutional amendments, and anti-LGBT legislation sought by the GD are “an attack on not only the LGBTQIA+ Community, but also on freedom of opinion and a free Civil Society.” It also states that the “Offshore Law” could weaken economic transparency, anti-corruption efforts, and facilitate the circumvention sanctions.
The resolution calls on the German government, in light of the fact that the legislation mentioned above restricts civil society rights and minority rights within Georgia, to provide “bureaucratically simple” support for groups who are affected by repressive actions and to adopt protective steps. The resolution calls for increased cultural exchanges and cooperation with Georgian civil societies, while also ensuring that federal funding to Georgian public institutions does not be used to push the country away from democratic principles.
The German government has been urged to “advocate” in the spirit the European Council Conclusions from June 27, 2024, for free and fair elections in Georgia. This includes supporting international observation missions of the OSCE/ODIHR/PACE and “making the future development of relationships with Georgia dependent upon free and fair elections.”
The Bundestag emphasizes the importance of OSCE/ODIHR reports and Council of Europe reports regarding Georgia’s election and calls on the German government to “pay particular attention” to whether the reports will mention undemocratic practices that were identified by long-term observer in the lead-up to elections, which cast doubt on their legitimacy.
The resolution also calls on the Federal Government to “advocate at the European level that visa-free travel for the people in Georgia be maintained despite the government’s democratic retreat, as suspending this would affect the entire populace, including the proEuropean forces.”
Sanctions are also mentioned in the resolution. It calls on Germany to monitor the situation and “to note any violations that may lead to targeted sanctions.”
The resolution also calls upon the German government to urge Georgian leadership to end the unlawful persecution by police and prosecutors of peaceful demonstrators.
The Bundestag also says that the German government should urge Russia to respect Georgia territorial integrity, and to condemn any Russian interference with regard to illegal de facto control Russian troops and any attempts to further destabilize Georgia.
Also Read:
* 09/10/2024: Sanction Ivanishvili and freeze EU funds, evaluate visa liberalization benchmarks – European Parliament Resolution on Georgia
The Daily Beat: Monday, 8 September
The Daily Beat: Wednesday, 13 May
The Daily Beat: Tuesday, 10 May
The Daily Beat: Tuesday, 22 April
The Daily Beat: Thursday, 11 April
Read More @ civil.ge