29/11/2024 Standing Committee
The following statement was adopted by the Standing Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) at its meeting on 29 November 2024:
“The Parliamentary Assembly, meeting today in Luxembourg as the Standing Committee, expresses its concern about the situation in Georgia, where the government has announced the suspension of accession negotiations with the European Union, contrary to electoral promises. This decision may have a significant impact on the implementation of reforms that are essential for the strengthening of the rule of law and the functioning of democratic institutions in Georgia.
The Assembly strongly condemns the brutal repression of the peaceful demonstrations that took place in Tbilisi to protest against this decision, as a violation of the fundamental rights to freedom of expression and assembly.
The Assembly also notes with concern that most of the demonstrators were arrested and charged under provisions of the controversial Soviet-era Code of Administrative Offences and recalls that it has requested on many occasions for this law to be replaced by a new law in line with European standards.
These disturbing developments are all the more worrying in the light of the 26 October parliamentary elections, which took place in an environment that did not provide the necessary conditions for the electorate “to make an informed choice, free from intimidation and undue pressure”, as the election observation report of the Assembly, published yesterday, noted.
The Assembly urges Georgia to remain faithful to European values and to fully comply with its obligations and commitments as a member state of the Council of Europe.
The Assembly stands ready to continue to work, in close co-operation with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe and the Committee of Ministers, in a constructive dialogue with the Georgian authorities, democratic forces and civil society, in particular youth. The Assembly monitoring co-rapporteurs’ forthcoming visit to Georgia will provide a crucial opportunity to pursue this dialogue.
The Assembly will debate the election observation report during the January 2025 part-session.”