Helsinki Commission Urges Portugal to Block Georgian Dream Officials from OSCE Assembly
By Liza Mchedlidze
Friday, May 16, 2025
The U.S. Helsinki Commission, backed by leading members of the United Kingdom, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine, and Sweden's delegations to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA), has called on Portugal to deny entry to members of Georgia's ruling Georgian Dream party ahead of the 32nd Annual Session of the OSCE PA, which will be held in Porto from June 29 to July 3.
In a formal letter sent to Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro on May 8, the Commission commended Portugal for hosting the session, while issuing a clear appeal: "I urge your government to deny visas to, or otherwise prevent the participation of, members of the Georgian Dream government seeking to attend this crucial gathering."
The letter accuses the Georgian Dream leadership of "systematically undermining democracy in Georgia," pointing to "widespread electoral fraud, violently suppressing peaceful protests, and jailing journalists and civic activists who dare to challenge its autocratic rule."
The signatories warn that allowing Georgian Dream officials to attend the Assembly would amount to endorsing authoritarianism. "Granting members of the Georgian Dream government the privilege of attending this prestigious session would legitimize their repressive governance and provide them with a platform they do not deserve," the letter states.
Their participation, it continues, "would undermine the very principles the OSCE stands for and send the wrong message to those fighting for democracy in Georgia and beyond."
The signatories include 28 delegates from the U.S., U.K., Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine, and Sweden.
