On media freedom in Georgia, particularly the case of Mzia Amaglobeli

B100289/2025

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on media freedom in Georgia, particularly the case of Mzia Amaglobeli

(2025/2752(RSP))

The European Parliament,

having regard to its previous resolutions on Georgia,

– having regard to the joint statement by High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas and Commissioner Marta Kos of 2 April 2025 on latest developments in Georgia;

– having regard to Rule 150(5) of its Rules of Procedure.

whereas Georgian journalist Mzia Amaglobeli was arrested on 12 January 2025, held in pre-trial detention over four months and now faces the threat of a prison sentence of several years;

whereas during her detention Mzia Amaglobeli reportedly suffered from inhumane treatment and undertook a 38-day hunger strike;

whereas the detention of Mzia Amaglobeli is part of a broader crackdown by the ruling party Georgian Dream on dissenting voices in civil society, opposition and media;

whereas the personal attacks against Mzia Amaglobeli, including by the Prime Minister, government officials and other prominent members of the ruling party, and her stigmatisation as a ‘foreign agent’ appear as a deliberate fabrication of a prominent case of media persecution that would deter further independent media reporting in Georgia;

1.Urges the Georgian authorities to immediately release Mzia Amaglobeli and to withdraw any fabricated charges against her;

2.Calls on the EEAS and the Member States to closely monitor the legal process and thereby contribute to establishing transparency about this and similar cases against Georgian journalists and media organisations, especially in the light of concerns about the lack of judicial independence;

3.Urges Georgian authorities to end the harassment of independent media and journalists and reminds the Georgian authorities of their obligations to uphold media freedom and freedom of expression under the Georgian constitution and in accordance with the country’s international commitments;

4.Expresses it solidarity with the people of Georgia in their protest against the escalating repression of civil liberties, and in particular with persons such as Mzia Amaglobeli who has come to symbolize the struggle for preserving Georgia’s democratic and European future;

5.Underlines that the new pieces of legislation, such as the Foreign Agents Registration Act and amendments to the Law on Broadcasting, unduly restrict fundamental freedoms, erode democracy and therefore, unless repealed, would make Georgia’s future EU membership impossible;

6.Reiterates its calls on the ruling party to end the repression against citizens, release all persons unduly detained, suspend and repeal all repressive legislation and return to the path of democracy;

7.Calls for the EU to continue supporting Georgia’s civil society, human rights defenders and independent media despite the increasingly hostile environment marked by repressive laws such as the ‘Foreign Agents Registration Act’;

8.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 OSCE and to the self-appointed authorities of Georgia.