Tina Khidasheli, chair of the Georgian civil society organization Civic Idea, has called on international partners and allied governments to impose targeted sanctions on political figures who obstruct Georgia’s European progress—specifically members of the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party—not on the Georgian people.
In statement made on Friday, Khidasheli emphasized that Civic Idea firmly opposes any possible suspension of Georgia’s visa-free travel regime with the European Union, lately mention by several Georgian officials.
She warned of the damaging consequences of the government’s current political course.
“This threat should serve as a wake-up call about just how harmful Georgian Dream’s policies have become for the country’s path toward European integration,” Khidasheli said.
She highlighted Civic Idea’s long-standing work in defending visa liberalization and contributing to the broader process that led Georgia to obtain EU candidate status. “Our commitment has always been to keep Georgia anchored in the European family—both in values and political orientation,” she stated.
According to Khidasheli, the steps taken by Georgian Dream directly contradict the country’s pro-European aspirations. Under its rule, Georgia has grown ‘increasingly distant’ from the EU, both politically and legally. She stressed that it is the actions of the government—not the people—that are endangering Georgia’s European future.
In this context, Khidashelo stated that those suspected of human rights violations, corruption, and election manipulation must be held accountable.
“Given the lack of an independent judiciary in Georgia, international partners must target sanctions solely at political actors undermining the country’s European path.
The Georgian people have continuously, openly, and unitedly defended their European choice for months. It is unjust to hold them responsible for the ruling party’s actions,” Khidasheli said.
She concluded that all political and legal consequences—past and future—are the sole responsibility of Georgian Dream. “This accountability is inevitable. No politician or party will be able to escape either legal or historical judgment.”
