On the democratic backsliding and threats to political pluralism in Georgia

B100084/2024

European Parliament resolution on the democratic backsliding and threats to political pluralism in Georgia

(2024/2822(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–having regard to its previous resolutions on Georgia,

–having regard to the statement by the spokesperson for the European External Action Service of 4 September 2024 on the legislative package on ‘family values and protection of minors’,

–having regard to the statement by the High Representative with the European Commission of 15 May 2024 on the adoption of the ‘transparency of foreign influence’ law,

–having regard to the European Council conclusions of 27 June 2024,

–having regard to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,

–having regard to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms,

–having regard to Rule 136(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.whereas the exercise of freedom of opinion, expression, association and peaceful assembly are fundamental rights enshrined in the Georgian Constitution;

B.whereas Georgia, as a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights, as well as a member of the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, has committed itself to the principles of democracy, the rule of law and respect for fundamental freedoms and human rights;

C.whereas the European Union expects Georgia, a candidate country for EU accession, to abide fully by the international commitments it has made and, in particular, to fulfil the recommendations set out in the Commission’s recommendation of 8 November 2023, on the basis of which the European Council decided to grant candidate status to Georgia;

D.whereas on 14 May 2024 the Georgian Parliament adopted the ‘transparency of foreign influence’ law despite mass protests of Georgian citizens and repeated calls from Georgia’s European partners to withdraw the draft law which, in spirit and content, contradicts EU norms and values;

E.whereas the European Council, in its conclusions of 27 June 2024, called on Georgia’s authorities to ‘clarify their intentions by reversing the current course of action which jeopardises Georgia’s EU path, de facto leading to a halt of the accession process’;

F.whereas on 17 September 2024, the Georgian Parliament adopted another controversial legislative package, namely on ‘family values and protection of minors’;

1.Condemns the adoption of laws such as those on ‘transparency of foreign influence’ and ‘family values and protection of minors’, which have been met with massive protests by the Georgian public, civil society organisations, independent media, prominent public figures and the country’s European and international partners alike, and which are abused by the government to impose restrictions on critical voices in civil society and the non-governmental organisation (NGO) sector or to discriminate against vulnerable persons;

2.Expresses its concern about the climate of hatred and antagonism fuelled by statements by Georgian Government representatives and political leaders, as well as by the government’s attacks against political pluralism, such as its threats to ban opposition parties;

3.Underlines that the aforementioned laws are incompatible with EU values and democratic principles, run against Georgia’s ambitions for EU membership and endanger the country’s Euro-Atlantic integration;

4.Calls on the Georgian Parliament to withdraw these laws and to refrain from submitting any further legislative proposals that contradict the principles of democracy, the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms and which would therefore directly contradict the criteria for EU membership;

5.Highlights that the controversial laws betray the aspirations of the large majority of the Georgian people to live in a democratic society, continue democratic and rule of law reforms, pursue close cooperation with Euro-Atlantic partners and engage on a path towards EU membership;

6.Underlines that the public watchdog role exercised by civil society and independent media is essential to a democratic society and crucial in advancing EU accession-related reforms and therefore calls on the Georgian authorities to do their utmost to guarantee an enabling environment in which civil society and independent media can thrive; emphasises that the legitimate aim of ensuring the transparency of NGOs receiving foreign funding cannot in any way justify measures which restrict their activities, especially not in the field of democracy, the rule of law and human rights;

7.Condemns the murder of a prominent human rights activist belonging to the transgender community the day after the adoption of the law on ‘family values and protection of minors’, as well as the many recent cases of intimidation and attacks against critical voices in civil society;

8.Recalls that the European Council granted Georgia candidate status at its summit of 14-15 December 2023 on the understanding that the relevant steps set out in the Commission recommendation of 8 November 2023 would be taken; stresses that this recommendation called on Georgia to ensure, among other things, that civil society was able to operate freely and to fight disinformation against the EU and its values; urges the Georgian Government, therefore, to reverse its current political course and return to a path that is aligned with the will of the Georgian people for continued democratic reforms that open up the perspective of future EU membership;

9.Reiterates its call on the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement and the President of the Commission to remind the Georgian Government of the commitments it made and the values and principles it subscribed to when it applied for EU membership;

10.Urges the Georgian Government to uphold its commitment to respect, strengthen and promote democracy, the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms, and genuinely engage in the full implementation of the steps required to fulfil the conditions for candidate status and EU membership, in a spirit of engagement and cooperation with Georgia’s civil society and political opposition;

11.Reiterates its unwavering support for the Georgian people’s legitimate European aspirations and to their wish to see their country join the European family, and expresses its hope that Georgia will return to its path of democratic reform;

12.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and the President, Government and Parliament of Georgia.