Georgian Dream Rejects Venice Commission's Recommendation to Halt Adoption of Anti-LGBTQ Law
By Liza Mchedlidze
Thursday, June 27, 2024
The leader of Georgia's parliamentary majority, Mamuka Mdinaradze stated that Georgia will not comply with the Venice Commission's recommendation to "legalize same-sex marriage". This statement comes in response to a report from the Venice Commission, which urged the ruling party to halt the adoption of the proposed anti-LGBTQ propaganda law.
"Recently, the Venice Commission has been giving unacceptable recommendations to Georgia," Mdinaradze told journalists. "When it comes to the banning of LGBTQ propaganda, the Commission not only disapproves of the changes we are planning but also suggests legalizing same-sex marriage."
Mdinaradze criticized the opposition for announcing a boycott of parliamentary activities, suggesting that they are avoiding debates on this issue due to fear of backlash from both international supporters and the Georgian public. "The opposition is afraid of its patrons outside and the Georgian people inside. They avoid participating in these debates because they know the Georgian people will punish them if they express support for LGBT rights."
He stated that the opposition's avoidance of the issue is a strategic move to maintain favor with international allies while not alienating Georgian constituents. "They don't dare to participate in these debates, to say they don't like it, to express their real mood. The Georgian people will punish them if they say they like it, and they are afraid of their bosses."
Mdinaradze asserted that the Venice Commission's recommendation only strengthens the opposition's covert support for LGBTQ rights, a stance that is unpopular among many Georgian voters. "Everyone realizes that they avoid this topic on purpose because they are on the side of this topic. They are on the side of allowing, not banning, LGBTQ propaganda."
The Venice Commission, an advisory body of the Council of Europe, recently published an opinion on Georgia's constitutional law against "LGBTQ propaganda." The Commission recommended against the adoption of this law, arguing that it infringes on fundamental human rights and freedoms.
"Today, the recommendation of the Venice Commission was to reinforce their position. However, Georgia will never agree to the Venice Commission's call to allow same-sex marriages in Georgia," Mdinaradze said.
