European Parliament Condemns Georgian Dream Rule, Citing Democratic Decline and Media Repression
By Liza Mchedlidze
Friday, June 20, 2025
The European Parliament has adopted a resolution strongly criticizing the government of Georgia led by the Georgian Dream party. The resolution refers to its rule as a "regime" and accuses it of a "systemic assault on democratic institutions, political opposition, independent media, civil society, and judicial independence."
The resolution, which focuses on the state of media freedom in Georgia, expresses "deep concern over arbitrary detentions and the harassment of, and violence against, journalists in Georgia." It cites a pattern of "smear campaigns, legal persecution, abuse, and gender-based violence in detention."
Parliament members urge authorities to investigate these cases and "immediately end intimidation and ensure journalists' safety and freedom."
The resolution also demands the release of individuals described as "political prisoners" and "illegally detained persons." It lists 21-year-old protester Mate Devidze, who received a four-and-a-half-year sentence for allegedly "assaulting police," along with opposition politicians Zurab Japaridze, Nika Melia, and Nika Gvaramia, who remain in pretrial detention after defying a parliamentary commission. Former President Mikheil Saakashvili, convicted in multiple criminal cases, is also named.
The text calls for the "immediate" repeal of "all repressive legislation" and urges the European Union to "step up support" for Georgia's independent media and civil society, particularly after the passage of the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
The resolution criticizes the broader European response, stating that Parliament "regrets the persistent inaction of the European Council, Member States, and Commission." It repeats its call for bilateral sanctions targeting Georgian Dream officials "responsible for democratic backsliding."
A final amendment highlights new pressure on non-governmental organizations. It cites "the latest wave of assault on NGOs," referring to demands by state bodies such as the Anti-Corruption Bureau that organizations submit detailed financial, legal, and operational data for the past eighteen months within three working days.
According to the resolution, "this demand is unfeasible by design and as such risks paralysing the work of targeted organisations and suspending their activities."
