As democratic backsliding in Georgia deepens, ALDE-PACE met during the April part-session with representatives of Georgian liberal forces and civil society. Despite the Georgian parliamentary delegation’s resignation from PACE—thus rejecting dialogue with one of the Council of Europe’s statutory bodies—our dialogue with Georgian society continues and the Assembly continues its monitoring work.
On 10 April 2025, PACE adopted a resolution co-authored by Sabina Ćudić (ALDE-PACE Vice-President, Bosnia and Herzegovina), outlining Georgia’s growing departure from Council of Europe standards, including restrictions on freedom of assembly, expression, media, and civil society. Retaliation against protesters, journalists, and civic leaders is also growing.
In her concluding remarks to the Assembly, co-rapporteur Sabina Ćudić rightly emphasized that member states bear the responsibility to uphold the organisation’s core values:
“I consider my own country’s access to the European Court of Human Rights, to the Venice Commission, and to this chamber to be an enormous privilege. But that privilege – and I hope we all agree with this, comes with great responsibility. And that responsibility is that we share the paradigm in our commitment to protecting democracy and what constitutes a democracy.” declared Ćudić.
Speaking on behalf of the ALDE group, Yevheniia Kravchuk stated:
“In January, this Assembly adopted a very powerful resolution on Georgia. We spoke clearly: the country needs early and fair elections. The release of political prisoners, an independent judiciary, free media, and a rejection of laws that discourage civil society. We sent strong signals, as a partner, as a friend, as part of one European family. So what do we see just a few months later?
Instead of dialogue, as many of you mentioned: new repressive laws. The parliament is adopting amendments that restrict peaceful assembly. Fines, bans, and attempts to silence dissent. Instead of releasing political prisoners, there are new arrests. Today, many voices that the authorities fear are being held in detention”.
She continued by saying:
“A government that should be listening to its people is instead trying to silence them. But it won’t succeed. Because tens of thousands of Georgians are taking to the streets. Because they disagree. Because they are saying: ‘We want to be with Europe, not Russia. We want the future, not the past’.
It is our duty to stand with them. Not with the politicians who are moving backwards, but with those who raise the Georgian flag alongside the European one: who fight peacefully, honestly, and with dignity for democracy and freedom.
The January resolution was clear. But unfortunately, the authorities did not listen. And that’s why we must say it again. Together with the people of Georgia, we stand for Georgia’s European future, we stand for their rights, and we stand against authoritarian practices, no matter how or where they try to hide themselves.”
