PACE adopts new critical resolution on Georgia, condemns FARA and other restrictive laws

PACE resolution on Georgia

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has adopted a critical resolution on Georgia by majority vote. The resolution strongly condemns the country’s continued backsliding on democracy and calls on the government to comply with recommendations outlined in previous resolutions, which remain unaddressed.

Among other concerns, the Assembly regrets that despite the decision to approve the credentials of Georgia’s delegation, all its members withdrew and refused to engage in dialogue. As a result, Georgia is currently not represented in PACE. The Assembly stressed that participation with approved credentials is not a choice, but an obligation.

On 30 January 2025, the Council of Europe adopted a harsh resolution on Georgia, after which representatives of the Georgian Dream party announced their withdrawal from PACE activities.

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In its new resolution, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe:

• Calls on the Georgian government to immediately release political prisoners and launch an inclusive process involving all stakeholders — the ruling party, the opposition, and civil society — with the aim of addressing violations identified in past elections and preparing for genuinely democratic elections in the coming months.
• Expresses regret over recent amendments to the Electoral Code concerning local elections, which, according to the Venice Commission, may strengthen the ruling party’s position, undermine political pluralism, and violate the principle of equal suffrage. The Assembly urges the repeal of these changes and insists that electoral district boundaries be drawn by an independent and impartial body based on clear legal criteria.
• Voices concern over recent changes to parliamentary rules that simplify the appointment of members to the Central Election Commission without consulting civil society, thereby undermining the independence of the electoral administration.

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• Acknowledges the findings of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities from 26 March 2025, which confirm that serious issues remain in the country, posing threats to the democratic process and human rights, and calls for the urgent creation of conditions necessary for democratic elections.
• Expresses concern over the Central Election Commission’s decision to significantly restrict the rights of observers on election day, which affects the legitimacy of the elections and undermines public trust.
• Condemns the continued use of arrests, judicial persecution, and extended pre-trial detention against protesters, journalists, and civil society leaders — including the criminal cases against the Georgia Solidarity Fund and the freezing of its assets.
• Urges the release of all detained demonstrators and recommends that the CPT (European Committee for the Prevention of Torture) visit the facilities where they are being held.
• Expresses alarm over reports of torture and ill-treatment of detainees during protests, and calls for a full and transparent investigation into such incidents.
• Is deeply concerned by the case of opposition leader Elene Khoshtaria, who was forcibly stripped by police officers after being detained.

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• Condemns the amendments to the Code of Administrative Offences, adopted without consultation, which restrict freedom of assembly and expression. The Assembly calls for these amendments to be repealed and for a new law to be drafted in line with European standards.
• Notes the deterioration of the media environment: in the 2024 Press Freedom Index, Georgia fell from 77th to 103rd place. The Assembly expresses concern over restrictions on foreign funding for media outlets and the expansion of the powers of the National Communications Commission.
• Is concerned by reports of intimidation and repression of civil servants critical of the government, as well as by new laws that weaken protections for public employees and obstruct the registration of an independent trade union.
• Supports the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe’s resolution in the case of Identoba and Others v. Georgia and calls for the repeal of the Law on “Family Values and Protection of Minors”, which violates the European Convention on Human Rights.
• Strongly condemns the law on the “registration of foreign agents”, which the Assembly believes will have a harmful impact on civil society and closely resembles the previously rejected law on transparency of foreign influence.

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• Calls for the repeal of laws that exclude NGOs and other stakeholders from the legislative process and from appointments to key state positions, including the Central Election Commission, the Prosecutor’s Office, and judicial bodies.
• Condemns the establishment of a parliamentary commission to investigate the activities of the former United National Movement (UNM) government and its expansion to cover subsequent years — a move the Assembly believes could lead to the criminal prosecution of politicians and activists.
• Is particularly concerned by the ruling party’s intention to ban the “collective UNM” and any affiliated political groups. The Assembly is also alarmed by the summoning of former members of Georgia’s delegation to PACE for questioning over their support for Resolution 1633 (2008) on the consequences of the war between Georgia and Russia.