EU and British Foreign Ministers on recent detentions in Georgia: ‘Clearly designed to stifle political opposition’

On 11 July, the Foreign Ministers of 16 European countries, the United Kingdom and the High Representative of the European Union strongly condemned the recent, politically motivated imprisonment and detention of leaders of the Georgian opposition, calling them “clearly designed to stifle political opposition in Georgia, a few months ahead of the local elections”. 

They added that they would “not hesitate to make use of the range of unilateral and multilateral tools available to us” should Georgian authorities continue to take steps that erode Georgia’s democracy and respect for human rights.

Among the European countries joining the statement were Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain and Sweden.

“Their detention, as well as arbitrary arrests and increasing repression of other Georgian authorities` critics, representatives of civil society, peaceful protesters and independent journalists, contribute to dismantling of democracy in Georgia and rapid transformation towards an authoritarian system, in contradiction to European norms and values,” the joint statement said. “Recent legislative changes aim at stifling independent civil society and legitimate protest.”

According to the statement, the course of political repression carried out by the Georgian authorities has led, in reaction, to a considerable downgrading of EU-Georgia relationship, including a reduction of assistance and cooperation with Georgian authorities. “Today, the authoritarian and anti-European course of the Georgian authorities further threatens Georgia’s democratic achievements and relations with our countries,” the statement said.

At the same time, Ministers called on the Georgian authorities to immediately release unjustly detained politicians, journalists and activists, to reverse repressive legislation and to engage in a national dialogue with all relevant stakeholders to find a way out of the current situation. “It is not too late to reverse course,” concludes the statement. 

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