Resolution 2585 (2025)1Provisional version

Challenge, on substantive grounds, of the still unratified credentials of the parliamentary delegation of Georgia

Parliamentary Assembly1. The Parliamentary Assembly recalls that by acceding to the Council of Europe on 27 January 1999,Georgia agreed to honour several specific commitments listed in Assembly Opinion 209 (1999), as well as theobligations incumbent on all member States under Article 3 of the Statute of the Council of Europe (STENo. 1): compliance with the principles of pluralist democracy and the rule of law as well as respect for humanrights and fundamental freedoms of all persons placed under its jurisdiction.

2. In its Resolution 2561 (2024) “Challenges to democracy in Georgia”, the Assembly already expressedits deep concern at the continuing and rapid backsliding of democracy in Georgia. Noting that the 26 October2024 parliamentary elections would be a de facto referendum on Georgia’s democratic trajectory and foreignalignment, the Assembly reiterated its commitment to co-operation and dialogue with all forces and civilsociety in Georgia “to reverse the recent backsliding and to uphold the honouring of Georgia’s membershipobligations and commitments to the Council of Europe”.

3. The latest developments confirm the Assembly’s concerns. The findings of the Assembly’s electionobservation delegation “raise concerns about the correctness of the election results, namely whether theelection results truly reflect the will of the voters. Additionally, serious doubts persist regarding whether theelectoral environment provided the necessary conditions for a fair election, enabling voters to make aninformed choice free from intimidation and undue pressure. This is reflected in the response from theopposition and civil society, which have expressed deep mistrust in both the results and the institutions andcontinue to challenge the outcome of the election”. Following the elections, large demonstrations erupted inGeorgia, with opposition parties boycotting parliament and asking for a rerun of the vote.

4. Street demonstrations took even larger proportions following the announcement that the governmentwould suspend Georgia’s European Union accession process. This decision, which is contrary to the rulingparty’s electoral promises, has resulted in a social crisis characterised by a complete breakdown of trust in thepolitical institutions of the country in the eyes of the Georgian society, which compromises their legitimacy. It isalso bound to have an impact on the introduction of much needed reforms that would help tackle Georgia’sdemocratic backsliding.

5. The Assembly condemns the human rights abuses committed by the police, including the brutal use offorce against demonstrators, in violation of freedom of assembly, in the context of a progressive erosion offundamental rights and freedoms, the dismantling of democratic safeguards, the shrinking space for civilsociety and the politicisation of State institutions that began well before these elections. It also condemns themisuse of the judicial system to deter and retaliate against protesters, journalists and opposition figures,issues which so far remain unaddressed by the authorities.

1. Assembly debate on 29 January 2025 (6th sitting) (see Doc. 16104, report of the Committee on the Honouring ofObligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe (Monitoring Committee), rapporteur: Ms ZandaKalniņa-Lukaševica; see also Doc. 16107, opinion of the Committee on Rules of Procedure, Immunities and InstitutionalAffairs, rapporteur: Ms Petra Bayr). Text adopted by the Assembly on 29 January 2025 (6th sitting).

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