Employees Allege Retaliation Over Public Dissent at Georgian Parliamentary Research Center
By Liza Mchedlidze
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
On January 21, employees of the Georgian Parliamentary Research Center announced that the institution's director had informed them of a decision to liquidate the center. The announcement, according to Nino Lezhava (Researcher), Salome Natroshvili (Head of the Department of International Practice Studies), and Mariam Chachua (Head of the Analytical Research Department), was explained as a response to the public activities of five staff members.
These employees had signed a joint statement condemning the government's postponement of EU accession talks until 2028 and the violence against peaceful protesters. They linked the liquidation decision to their public dissent, describing it as a form of repression against conscientious public sector employees.
In a joint statement, the employees said:
"Today, on January 21, 2025, the director of the Research Center of the Parliament of Georgia informed us that a decision was made to liquidate the center. The decision was explained as being based on the public activity of five employees who signed a petition addressing the postponement of Georgia's EU accession talks and condemning violence against protesters.
We view this as another instance of repression against honest public sector workers and an attempt to silence differing opinions within the system. We will use all available legal mechanisms to defend our rights and the rights of our colleagues. We remain loyal to the Constitution of Georgia, serving our country and its people."
The employees further revealed that the working environment had deteriorated following their public criticism of amendments to the Law on Civil Service. Speaking to Radio Liberty on January 20, Natroshvili, Chachua, and Lezhava detailed the challenges and hostile atmosphere they faced after signing the petition. Following the interview, other staff members reportedly confronted them, demanding explanations regarding the mentioned "hostile environment."
