**Georgian Opposition Asks EU for Help**
On December 19, four opposition groups in Georgia announced that they have asked the OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) to investigate possible human rights violations during elections.
The groups – Coalition for Change, Strong Georgia, Unity-UNM, and Gakharia for Georgia – want the “Moscow Mechanism” activated. This is a special way for the OSCE to send a team to look into problems and make sure future elections are fair.
Giorgi Butikashvili from the Coalition for Change said: “We have written a joint letter asking the OSCE/ODIHR (Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights) to activate the ‘Moscow Mechanism’. This would help us understand what happened during the elections and make sure future ones are free and fair.”
**What is the “Moscow Mechanism”?**
The “Moscow Mechanism” was created in 1991. It allows OSCE member countries to look into serious human rights problems, even if the country where the problems occurred does not want them investigated.
This mechanism has been used many times before, including during conflicts in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, Belarus after a presidential election, and Ukraine due to Russia’s invasion.
**Opposition Groups Speak Out**
The opposition groups are unhappy with the current government. They say it is “treacherous” and that its actions are leading to violence against protesters. They also warn that EU sanctions may be coming soon.
Giorgi Baramidze from Unity-UNM said: “We are facing a difficult situation in our country, where the levers of power are held by Ivanishvili’s gang. We hope that our friends and people will continue to support us.”
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