“If you don’t have wings, at least let me fly.” The case of Kesaria Abramidze’s murder. By Khatia Ghoghoberidze @khatiagh https://t.co/XEjj4HY2IN via @JAMnewsCaucasus
— Notes from Georgia/South Caucasus (Hälbig, Ralph) (@SouthCaucasus) September 20, 2024
Day: September 20, 2024
#Shukruti residents protest in Georgia / “Our homes may collapse any moment”: mining village residents protest in #Georgia as authorities remain silent
Khatia Ghoghoberidze. via @JAMnewsCaucasus https://t.co/JKHsRn85lt— Notes from Georgia/South Caucasus (Hälbig, Ralph) (@SouthCaucasus) September 20, 2024
Members of the European Parliament wrote to the European Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi, on September 20 with a four-point plan if the October elections in Georgia aren’t conducted democratically. The actions include the suspension of EU financial aid, targeted sanctions against those who undermine democracy, a formal review of Georgia’s EU candidacy, and appropriate public diplomacy and communication measures. The letter was published by MEP Rihards Kols on his Twitter account.
The letter, which is signed by 30 MEPs notes the recent authoritarian measures by the Georgian Dream government, with MEPs particularly concerned with the Foreign Agents’ law adoption despite mass protests. MEPs note the timing of the legislation adoption, right before the October elections and say this raises serious concerns that it aims to stigmatize and diminish the role of CSOs “many of which have been pivotal in promoting democratic values and transparency.”
This law which targets organizations receiving foreign funding, brands them as “working against national interests” the MEPs state, resembling the tactics employed by authoritarian regimes, notably Russia and thus “pose a grave threat to Georgia’s democratic processes” and elections in particular.
In response to this “alarming situation,” the MEPs propose “an enhanced electoral observation mission” to monitor not only the large cities but also rural areas, where electoral irregularities are more likely to occur. The observers should be present not only on election day, but throughout the pre-election and post-election periods, the MEPs said.
In addition the authors propose four actions for the EU to take “if Georgia’s democratic integrity is compromised during these elections”:
- Suspension of EU Financial Aid: Should there be credible evidence of electoral fraud, opposition suppression, or interference in the electoral process, the EU must be ready to suspend its financial aid to the Georgian government. This includes halting grants and loans under the Eastern Partnership initiative and reviewing trade agreements such as the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA). Aid to civil society and non-governmental organizations should remain unaffected to ensure continued support for democracy and human rights.
- Sanctions on Key Individuals: The EU should impose targeted sanctions on high-level officials within the Georgian government and ruling party who are directly responsible for undermising the democratic process. This will send a clear message that the EU will not tolerate actions that erode democracy. Sanctions could include asset freezes, visa bans, and travel restrictions.
- Formal Review of Georgia’s EU Candidacy: If the elections fail to meet international standards of fairness and transparency, the EU should initiate a formal review of Georgia’s EU membership path. This review should assess whether the ruling party’s actions align with the democratic principles required of candidate countries. It would signal that deviations from democratic norms could jeopardize Georgia’s European future.
- Public Diplomacy and Communication: The EU must actively communicate its concerns not only to the Georgian government but also to the Georgian people. Public statements and high-level diplomatic visits should stress that the EU stands with the citizens of Georgia in their aspirations for democracy, the rule of law, and European integration. This will counter any government attempts to portray EU criticism as an attack on Georgian sovereignty.
The following MEPs co-signed the letter:
Rihards Kols (ECR Group, Lativa), Adrian Vázquez Lázara (EPP, Spain), Alexandr Vondra (ECR Group, Czechia), Anna Zalewska (ECR Group, Poland), Aurelijus Veryga (ECR Group Lithuania), Dainius Zalimas (Renew, Lithuania), Diego Solier (non-attached, Spain), Henrik Dahl (EPP, Denmark), Ivars ljabs (Renew, Latvia), Jaak Madison (ECR Group, Estonia), Jaroslav Bioch (Patriots for Europe, Czechia), Jonas Sjöstedt (The Left, Sweden), Krzysztof Brejza (EPP, Poland), Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann (Renew, Germany), Markéta Gregorová (Greens, Czechia), Martins Stakis (Greens, Latvia), Matej Tonin (EPP, Sloveina), Merja Kyllönen (The Left, Finland), Miriam Lexmann (EPP, Slovakia), Nora Junco García (non-attached, Spain), Ondhij Krutilek (ECR Group, Czechia), Petras Austrevicius (Renew, Lithuania), Rasa Jukneviciene (EPP, Lithuania), Reinis Poznaks (ECR Group, Latvia), Riho Terras (EPP, Estonia), Roberts Zile (ECR Group, Lativa), Sebasiten Tynkkynen (ECR Group, Finland), Stephen Nikola Bartulica (ECR Group, Croatia), Tobiasz Bocheński (ECR Group, Poland), Virginijus Sinkevičius (Greens, Lithuania).
U.S. officials on sanctions in Georgia
Former senior White House officials Daniel Fried and David Kramer, along with former U.S. Ambassador to Georgia William Courtney, spoke to “Voice of America” about the sanctions imposed by the U.S. State Department against high-ranking Georgian officials. U.S. officials warn that Washington is attempting to deter the Georgian government from continuing on its current path.
The U.S. Treasury Department has sanctioned the head of Georgia’s special forces, Zviad Kharazishvili (known as Khareba), his deputy Mileri Lagazauri, and leaders of the pro-Russian Alt-info movement, Konstantin Morgoshia and Zurab Makhardze.
Additionally, the State Department imposed visa restrictions on more than 60 members of Georgia’s government and parliament, including their families, for “undermining democracy in the country.”
Notably, like Khareba, his deputy has also been added to the so-called “Magnitsky List.” Both officials are linked to violence against opponents of the “foreign agent” law (also referred to as the Russian law by the public).
The U.S. Treasury stated that all property and assets of these individuals in the U.S. or under U.S. jurisdiction will be frozen.
Daniel Fried, former coordinator of sanctions policy at the U.S. State Department, stated:
“The U.S. government has long warned the authorities in Georgia that American-Georgian relations are based on democracy, freedom, and civil society in Georgia. America was not pleased even when Saakashvili mishandled the public in 2007, so this is not a move against any specific party.
However, it seems that the ‘Georgian Dream’ government has gone further and is putting pressure on civil society. The Biden administration has taken another step and identified those members of the Georgian government who bear responsibility for this.
I find it very interesting that they made this move before the elections. They are trying to warn the Georgian government not to go down this path. However, I’m not sure if the Georgian government is listening.
This was a very carefully considered step. The Biden administration, the State Department, and the National Security Council are not driven by emotions, anger, or anything like that. They make decisions very deliberately and after deep reflection on how to approach this issue.”
David Kramer, former assistant secretary of state and executive director of the George W. Bush Institute: “The Treasury comes in when financial sanctions are imposed. Previously, sanctions were only from the State Department and they were visa-related, and now four individuals have been sanctioned financially and 60 have been sanctioned visa-restricted. This is a dramatic escalation of the measures taken by the US government.
Let’s be clear that the responsibility for the current situation lies with the Georgian Dream, the government and Bidzina Ivanishvili. They are leading Georgia down the wrong path.
They talk about a “the global war party,” about banning the opposition, they have adopted a Russian-style law against NGOs [the law “on foreign agents”], they are fighting the LGBTQ+ community. So America is simply responding to this, as well as to attacks on Americans, senators, congressmen and the former US ambassador, and saying: “Enough!”
William Courtney, former U.S. Ambassador to Georgia, stated: “I would compare the current situation only to that of Alexander Lukashenko and Belarus among the former Soviet countries. But the current leaders of Georgia are far more hostile towards the West, Europe, and America.
That’s why I’m concerned about human rights violations and the possibility of rigged parliamentary elections in October.
To some extent, these [current sanctions] are a warning that if the October elections are falsified, further consequences will follow.”
Under the instructions of the Minister of Defense, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, on September 20, a series of events on the occasion of the State Sovereignty Day of the Republic of Azerbaijan was held in the types of troops, army corps, formations and special educational institutions of the Azerbaijan Army, Azernews reports, citing the Defense Ministry.