NordenBladet —
Chairs of committees from the parliaments of 18 countries and the European Parliament expressed regret at Georgia’s democratic backsliding, including the enactment of anti-European legislation limiting the space for independent civil society organizations and human rights. They were also concerned about the fact that the parliamentary elections held in Georgia on 26 October were marked with an unprecedented number of incidents and systemic violations, which were reported by international observers. The chairs of committees note that integrity of elections and upholding the rule of law are an integral part and fundamentals of the European values to which Georgia as an EU candidate country has to demonstrate its commitment.
The parliamentarians underline that that all allegations of electoral manipulation, especially with regard to voter intimidation and vote buying must be transparently investigated. They point out that, as the allegations at hand are so serious, only an independent international inquiry can address and investigate these elections and all reported violations in the pre-electoral period and during the elections.
The chairs of committees requested that the Georgian authorities make the voting protocols available and publicly transparent, so that each voter can verify if the information on their voting fact, time and place is factually accurate. They also demand repealing of the legislation that undermines the fundamental rights and freedoms of Georgian citizens and organizations and runs counter to the values and principles upon which the EU is founded.
The chairs of parliamentary committees also call on the European Union and the trans-Atlantic allies to impose sanctions on the officials and political leaders, including Bidzina Ivanishvili, who are responsible for violations of the electoral process in Georgia. They call on the freezing of all EU funds engaged in assistance and cooperation projects with the state and public institutions of Georgia with the exception of those dedicated to the supporting of civil society and the establishment of rule of law structures.
“At the same time, we call international partners to increase financial assistance to Georgia’s civil society and independent media, based on respect for democracy and the rule of law,” they said, and called on reviewing the visa liberalization regime with Georgia without excluding the possibility of its full suspension if the above listed conditions are not met.
The chairs of committees reiterated that they will continue standing with the Georgian people and their European choice. “We will also continue supporting unwaveringly Georgia’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally established borders,” they stated.
30 chairs and members of committees from the European Parliament and the parliaments of Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, and Ukraine signed the Joint Statement.
Joint Statement in Estonian and in English
Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee
Link uudisele: Chairs of European parliamentary committees demand international investigation of elections in Georgia
Source: Parliament of Estonia