OSCE PA Urges Release of ‘All Political Prisoners’, Holding New Elections in Georgia
The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly expressed alarm over recent developments in Georgia, urging “immediate release of all political prisoners” and holding new elections in a July 3 declaration and its accompanying resolution.
The declaration, adopted during the Assembly’s 32nd annual session held in Porto, Portugal, expressed “alarm” over the developments since October 26, 2024 parliamentary elections, ” including reports of arbitrary detentions, violence and ill-treatment of protesters, opposition leaders and media representatives, as documented by civil society organizations and the Public Defender of Georgia.”
In the document, OSCE PA “urges continued dialogue and co-operation to ensure the protection of fundamental freedoms, principally via the immediate release of all political prisoners and the holding of new, free and fair elections that truly reflect the will of the Georgian people.”
The declaration welcomed the invocation of the OSCE Vienna Mechanism in December in response to mass protests in Georgia following elections, “which were marked by several inconsistencies according to the ODIHR election observation mission final report,” and recognized “the importance of this mechanism in addressing concerns over human rights, democratic processes and the rule of law.”
Resolution Urges to De-Escalate, Return to EU Path
In the accompanying Resolution on Supporting Democracy and OSCE Values in Georgia, OSCE PA urged the Georgian Dream government to de-escalate political tensions, restore public trust in democracy by engaging in dialogue, respect freedoms of assembly and expression, refrain from using force against peaceful protesters, and return to the path of European integration.
The resolution reiterated its support for Georgian civil society and their aspirations for EU membership. It also reaffirmed its backing of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.
“The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly confirms its support for Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty within its internationally recognized borders,” the resolution states. It further calls on the Russian Federation to reverse its recognition of occupied Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states, implement the EU-brokered 2008 ceasefire agreement, halt its military presence in the occupied regions, and cease attempts to forcibly separate them from Georgia.
The declaration and resolution follow increasing concerns about the GD government’s repressive actions, including its turn away from the EU path, the arrest and physical assaults of peaceful demonstrators during protests in November and December 2024, raids on opposition offices, the passage of controversial laws, and the imprisonment of political opponents and journalists.
The Assembly expressed deep concern over Georgia’s 2024 parliamentary elections, citing widespread violations documented by the OSCE/ODIHR and what it called “an unprecedented use of administrative resources” that “undermines the principles of freedom, equality, and the legitimacy of the election results.”
The resolution strongly condemned the “disproportionate use of force against peaceful protesters, who are standing firm for the European and democratic future of Georgia,” and said it was disturbed by politically motivated prosecutions of journalists, activists, and opposition figures.
It also voiced disappointment over newly adopted laws on “foreign agents,” “radio and television,” and “grants,” saying the authorities “are using all means possible to consolidate power.”
The Assembly expressed deep concern about rising anti-EU rhetoric and growing ties with Russia and China, calling these developments “completely unacceptable” and inconsistent with Georgia’s stated goal of EU integration.
Expression of tensions
Ahead of the Porto session, on May 15, U.S. Representative Joe Wilson, co-chair of the Helsinki Commission, joined by other American and European lawmakers, called on Portugal to deny visas to Georgian officials attending the meeting, citing the Georgian Dream government’s “anti-democratic” policies.
Nikoloz Samkharadze, chair of the GD Parliament’s Foreign Relations Committee, was present at the session and addressed the Assembly, denouncing Wilson’s statement as a “shameful act” that contradicts the OSCE’s principles. He also criticized the amendments to the resolution, claiming the accusations against Georgia were unfounded.
“If today the content of election observation reports can be distorted, lies can be spread, and attackers armed with fireworks and Molotov cocktails can be labeled as peaceful citizens, then tomorrow we may be called elephants — and if the majority likes the term, such absurdity might make it into a resolution,” Samkharadze said, according to a statement released by the Georgian Parliament.
Controversy over Georgia Vote
The press release by the OSCE PA states that the Porto Declaration, including the resolutions critical to Georgia, was adopted unanimously. PA delegation member Maia Bitadze told Netgazeti that Georgia did not vote for the resolution, while the GD Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili accused the same paper of “disinformation.” All the while, OSCE PA Head of Communications and Press, Nat Perry, responded to a media query in writing, saying “some members of the Georgian [delegation] objected to the resolution during the general committee debate”, but “after it was approved by the committee and included in the Porto Declaration, the all voted for the declaration as a whole.”
The video footage of the OSCE PA also shows that no objections were voiced on specific paragraphs of the declaration and the resolutions as they were put to a vote. Some suggested that the Georgian delegation was absent during the final vote or abstained, since the abstentions are not officially recorded.
Note: the article was updated on July 4, 11:30, to include the additional remarks about Georgia in the declaration, and also at 19:40 to include information regarding the controversy regarding the Georgian delegation’s vote.
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