The draft resolution has been published. It will be voted in the European Parliament on 9th October.
According to the draft Resolution, the European Parliament calls upon the European Union introduce personal sanctions against BidzinaIvanishviliand all those who undermine the democracy in Georgia.
The document also mentions Mikheil Saakashvili‘s release.
The draft resolution also discusses the assessment of the visa liberalization criteria.
The draft resolution states that the European Parliament strongly condemns the adoption by the Georgian government of laws on “transparency and foreign influence”, “family values and minors protection”, and amendments to election code. It believes that these laws are used to restrict freedom of expression, censor media, limit critical voices within civil society, and the non-governmental sectors, or discriminate vulnerable people.
The [European] Parliament once again calls upon the [European] Council, the democratic partners of European Union, to impose targeted and immediate personal sanctions on Ivanishvili in response to his role in the deterioration in the political process of Georgia.
[The European Parliament] notes that, on December 14 and 15 2023, the European Council gave Georgia the status as a candidate country. This meant that appropriate steps would take place based on the recommendations made by the European Commission in November 2023. [The European Parliament] highlights that the recently passed laws are clearly contrary to this ambition and have stopped Georgia’s integration into the European Union.
[European Parliament] calls on the European Commission again to assess the impact of Georgia’s ongoing implementation on visa liberalization requirements. This includes the fundamental rights requirement which is a critical component of EU’s Visa Liberalization Policy, as well as the “transparency and foreign influence” and the “family values and minor protection” laws, abolitions of gender quotas, and other changes made to the electoral legislation.
[The European Parliament] reiterates its demand for the immediate, unconditional release of former president Mikheil Sakaashvili for humanitarian reasons so that he can receive medical assistance abroad. [The European Parliament] stresses that the Government of Georgia is fully and undisputedly responsible for the life, safety, and well-being of the former President Mikheil Sakaashvili and should be held accountable for any harm that may have been caused to him.
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