The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has adopted a resolution on Georgia, calling for new parliamentary elections and the release of political prisoners. The resolution passed with 114 votes in favor and 13 against.
According to the committee’s conclusions, the Council of Europe will only recognize the Georgian delegation if snap parliamentary elections are scheduled by April and all political prisoners are released.
The resolution also demands immediate initiation of an inclusive process involving all relevant stakeholders, including the ruling majority, opposition, and civil society, to address the flaws identified in the last parliamentary elections and establish conditions for truly democratic new elections in the coming months. PACE also called for release of all political prisoners before the April 2025 session of the Assembly.
In response to concerns over police brutality and human rights violations, the resolution also restricts the rights of the Georgian delegation within PACE, including:
* Membership in key committees, such as the Political Affairs and Democracy Committee, the Monitoring Committee, the Legal Affairs and Human Rights Committee, and others.
* Participation in election observation missions.
* Appointment as rapporteurs.
* Eligibility for leadership positions within the Assembly, including committee chairmanships.
* Representation of PACE at Council of Europe bodies, international organizations, or inter-parliamentary events.
PACE will review Georgia’s compliance with these conditions during its April 2025 session and may reconsider the restrictions based on the progress made.
