The South Caucasus News - SouthCaucasusNews.com
The EU will suspend Georgia’s visa-free travel
The EU has agreed to suspend visa-free travel for Georgia after the October 26 parliamentary elections if democratic principles, including free elections, are violated, according to Georgian Formula TV.
Formula TV indicates that consultations and approval processes with the foreign ministries of EU member states have already been completed.
Sanctions by the EU against the ruling party Georgian Dream have consistently been blocked by Hungary, as a member state. However, suspending visa-free travel is a decision that does not require full consensus among member states; the agreement of 15 countries is sufficient.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze is trying to convince the public that relations with Western partners will improve starting next year.
He hopes that the war in Ukraine will end next year, which, according to his logic, will lead to the normalization of relations between the Georgian government and its partners.
“I want to emphasize that we have certain challenges in our relations with partners, but I believe that once the war in Ukraine ends, all problems will be resolved, and relations will return to normal. Regarding our forecast, we have great hope and belief that the war in Ukraine will end next year.
Therefore, starting next year, relations between the Georgian government and our partners will significantly improve, which is crucial for avoiding any obstacles to economic development,” Kobakhidze said.
The U.S. Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on the head of Georgia’s special forces, Zviad Kharazishvili (known by the nickname Khareba), his deputy, Mileri Lagazauri, and the leaders of the pro-Russian movement Alt-info, Konstantin Morgoshia and Zurab Makharadze.
Additionally, the State Department has introduced visa restrictions against more than 60 members of the Georgian government and parliament, including their families, for “undermining democracy.”
Notably, like Khareba, his deputy has also been added to the so-called “Magnitsky List.” Both high-ranking officials are linked to violence against opponents of the “foreign agents” law [often referred to in society as the Russian law].
The U.S. Treasury Department announced that all assets and properties of these individuals within the U.S. or in jurisdictions under U.S. authority will be blocked.
Georgia passes anti-LGBT law
The Georgian Parliament has passed a discriminatory and homophobic anti-LGBT law, with 84 MPs voting in favor.
The ruling party, Georgian Dream, claims the law is meant to “protect family values,” but in reality, it restricts LGBT+ rights and imposes censorship.
The party plans to finalize the law during the autumn session. The package includes 19 bills, which also limit freedom of assembly and introduce media censorship.
The main bill is titled “On the Protection of Family Values and Minors,” with the other 18 stemming from it.
As part of this homophobic agenda, Georgian Dream also aims to amend the constitution, though they currently lack the constitutional majority required. parliamentary speaker Shalva Papuashvili indicated they may pursue these changes after the elections if they secure a majority.
The party also seeks to amend Article 30 of the constitution, which defines family as a union between a man and a woman, by adding a clause stating: “The protection of family values and minors is ensured by the constitutional law of Georgia.”
The Venice Commission has issued a critical opinion on the anti-LGBT law. It expresses concern that this legislative initiative, dealing with highly sensitive issues, was introduced during a period of large-scale, prolonged protests and significant political and social tension in the country.
The Commission also regrets that the changes are proposed just a few months before the elections, which it believes disregards concerns previously raised by international observers.
The Venice Commission recommends conducting a thorough analysis before adopting the new amendments, involving all segments of society, especially representatives of sexual and gender minorities, as well as experts from relevant fields (law, healthcare, education, social services, etc.).
“This analysis should be publicly available and conducted within a timeframe necessary for consultations to ensure a fair and unbiased assessment of the contentious issues,” the opinion states.
Regarding the legal assessment of the bill, the Venice Commission, considering the case law of the European Court of Human Rights and its previous opinions, notes that compliance with European and international standards cannot be established due to the reasons mentioned.
“Even a single provision in this bill creates risks of fostering a hostile and stigmatizing atmosphere against LGBT+ individuals in Georgia,” the Commission concludes.
Georgia passes anti-LGBT law
Blinken on visa restrictions in Georgia
The U.S. State Department is taking further action by imposing visa restrictions on over 60 Georgians and their family members involved in undermining democracy, according to a statement from U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Blinken also expressed concern about human rights violations and anti-democratic actions in Georgia, adding that the State Department will continue to consider additional measures in response.
“The United States is today imposing a broad array of accountability measures on a number of Georgian government officials and others who have undermined Georgia’s democracy and the human rights of the Georgian people.
The United States has imposed sanctions on two Georgian government officials—Ministry of Internal Affairs Special Task Department Chief Zviad “Khareba” Kharazishvili and one of his Deputies, Mileri Lagazauri—for their involvement in serious human rights abuse during the violent response to peaceful protests against the foreign influence law. We are also sanctioning two Georgian leaders of a violent extremist group, Konstantine Morgoshia and Zurab Makharadze, for serious human rights abuse, including violent attacks on Georgians exercising their freedom of peaceful assembly.
The Department of State is also taking additional steps to impose visa restrictions on more than 60 Georgian individuals and their family members responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy in Georgia. These individuals include senior government and municipal figures who abused their power to restrict the fundamental freedoms of the Georgian people, business leaders involved in corrupt practices, persons who have spread disinformation and promoted violent extremism, members of law enforcement who were involved in the beating of protesters, and members of parliament who played a critical role in advancing undemocratic legislation and restricting civil society.
We remain concerned about human rights abuses and anti-democratic actions in Georgia, and we will continue to consider additional actions in response. The United States unequivocally supports the rights of Georgians to assemble, speak, and peacefully protest without fear of violence, intimidation, or suppression”, – said Antony Blinken.
The U.S. Treasury Department has sanctioned Zviad Kharazishvili, head of Georgia’s Special Forces (known as “Khareba”), his deputy Mileri Lagazauri, as well as pro-Russian movement Alt-info leaders Konstantin Morgoshia and Zurab Makharadze.
In addition, the State Department has imposed visa restrictions on over 60 Georgian government and parliament members, along with their families, for “undermining democracy.”
Notably, both Khareba and his deputy were added to the “Magnitsky list.” These top officials are linked to violence against opponents of the controversial “foreign agents” law, also known as the Russian law.
The U.S. Treasury stated that all assets and property of these individuals located in the U.S. or under U.S. jurisdiction will be frozen.
On May 23, 2024, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced a new visa restriction policy targeting those responsible for passing the “foreign agents” law. He also stated that the U.S. is fully reviewing its cooperation with Georgia.
Shortly after, visa restrictions were imposed on over 30 government and parliament members involved in violence and intimidation against civil society and threats to the freedom of peaceful assembly.
On July 5, the U.S. Department of Defense announced that the Noble Partner military exercises, scheduled for July 25 to August 6 in Georgia, were postponed indefinitely, citing the ongoing review of U.S.-Georgia relations.
On July 31, reports surfaced that U.S. congressmen had sent a letter to Blinken, urging financial sanctions against Bidzina Ivanishvili.
