Monday, June 2, 2025
We, the Italian Partito Democratico, Swedish Socialdemokraterna and Dutch Partij van
de Arbeid, express our deep and growing concern over the accelerating erosion of
democracy and civil liberties in Georgia under the rule of the Georgian Dream authorities.
Since the widely discredited and fraudulent parliamentary elections of 26 October 2024,
Georgian Dream has pushed forward a series of repressive laws designed to silence
dissent and consolidate power. These measures have severely restricted the right to
peaceful protest, obstructed the work of independent election observers, and enabled
the arbitrary dismissal of civil servants. In recent months, hundreds of demonstrators —
including journalists, opposition leaders, and civil society activists — have been
detained. We call for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners.
During a recent visit to Georgia, representatives of our parties met with members of the
democratic opposition and civil society organizations affected by the newly adopted
“foreign agents” registration law (FARA), set to come into force on June 1. This legislation
represents a direct attack on civil society, aiming to stifle the work of those who defend
human rights and democratic values. It also threatens to fully derail the Georgian
people’s aspirations for closer integration with the European Union.
In response to these alarming developments, the European Union has already
suspended visa privileges for Georgian officials holding diplomatic passports and frozen
certain forms of financial support. However, given the continued crackdown and early
indications that the upcoming local elections in October will be neither free nor fair,
additional measures are urgently needed.
We urge the EU to consider targeted sanctions against key Georgian Dream officials,
their immediate families, and Bidzina Ivanishvili — including asset freezes and
restrictions on doing business within the EU. Furthermore, frozen EU funds originally
allocated to support Georgia’s accession process should be repurposed in innovative
ways to empower independent media, civil society, and pro-democracy actors on the
ground.
For 186 days now, thousands of brave Georgians have taken to the streets in peaceful
protest. They, along with democratic political forces and civil society organizations, need
our support more than ever. We stand in full solidarity with them and call on EU
institutions and member states to rise to the moment — and match their courage with
our concrete action.
