**PACE Monitoring Commission Offers Two Options on Georgian Delegation Credentials**
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Monitoring Commission has released a draft document regarding the ratification of the Georgian delegation‘s credentials. The commission is concerned about the democratic backsliding in Georgia, including violations of freedom of assembly and expression.
**Two Options Presented to PACE**
The Monitoring Commission offers two options for PACE to consider:
**Option A: Ratify Credentials with Conditions**
This option involves ratifying the Georgian delegation’s credentials at the current part-session. However, this would be conditional on the Georgian authorities taking immediate action to address several issues, including:
* Initiating an inclusive process to address electoral shortcomings
* Resuming European integration and accelerating reforms
* Ending police brutality and human rights abuses
* Cooperating with the Council of Europe
* Releasing all political prisoners
**Option B: Delay Ratification**
The second option does not include ratifying the Georgian delegation’s credentials. Instead, it requires the Georgian authorities to take similar actions as mentioned in Option A, but without ratifying their credentials at this time.
**Assembly to Review Progress**
PACE will have the opportunity to review progress on these issues at its April 2025 part-session and reconsider the credentials of the Georgian delegation accordingly.