Council of Europe Slams Democratic Backsliding in Georgia, Adopts Critical Resolution
By Liza Mchedlidze
Friday, April 11, 2025
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted a resolution on Georgia, criticizing the country's deepening democratic crisis and failure to address prior recommendations. The resolution passed with 89 votes in favor, three against, and five abstentions.
The resolution expresses regret over the resignation of all members of Georgia's delegation, despite its credentials being ratified by the Assembly. PACE emphasized that participation is not optional but a responsibility, warning that Georgia currently has no representation in the Assembly.
The Assembly underlined its deep concern over the ongoing deterioration of democratic standards in Georgia, pointing to several areas of regression:
Elections and Electoral Law: The resolution criticizes recent changes to the Electoral Code, which, according to the Venice Commission, risk entrenching the ruling party's power and undermining political pluralism. PACE called for the repeal of these amendments and urged impartial redistricting based on clear legal standards.
Erosion of Institutional Checks: It voiced concern over changes to Parliament's rules of procedure that reduce oversight in appointing members of the Central Election Commission and exclude civil society from the process. PACE stressed these changes undermine electoral independence.
Crackdowns on Protest and Dissent: PACE condemned the continued use of arrests, pre-trial detention, and retaliatory legal measures against protesters, journalists, and civic activists. It highlighted reports of torture, including the degrading treatment of opposition leader Elene Khoshtaria, who was forcibly stripped in detention.
Freedom of Expression and Media: The Assembly criticized amendments to Georgia's Law on Administrative Offences and media laws, warning of their chilling effect on free speech. Georgia's drop in the World Press Freedom Index,from 77th to 103rd, was cited as evidence of deteriorating media freedoms.
Civil Society Restrictions: The resolution also raised alarms over recent laws restricting NGOs' access to funding, curtailing their participation in policymaking, and criminalizing non-compliance under the newly adopted Foreign Agent Registration Act. PACE said this law would devastate civil society.
Intimidation of Civil Servants: The Assembly noted widespread reports of retaliation and job dismissals targeting civil servants critical of the government, and criticized the refusal to register the Independent Trade Union of Civil Servants.
LGBTQ+ Rights: PACE welcomed the Committee of Ministers' call to repeal the controversial Law on Protecting Family Values and Minors, saying it violates the European Convention on Human Rights.
The resolution also condemned the ruling party's push to investigate and potentially ban the opposition party United National Movement (UNM), calling it a "gross violation" of Georgia's Council of Europe membership obligations. It warned that even the threat of banning democratic opposition fuels further political polarization.
Finally, PACE noted that without tangible progress in addressing these issues, it would not support ratifying credentials of any future Georgian delegation. The Assembly called on the Georgian government to fulfill its commitments under previous resolutions and fully re-engage with the Council of Europe.
