German lawmakers from several political parties have condemned the decision by Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party late last year to halt its efforts to begin negotiations for European Union membership until 2028.
The lawmakers argue that the move went against the party’s campaign promises and undermined the aspirations of the majority of the Georgian population who support EU integration.
In a joint statement, Ulrich Lechte (Free Democratic Party), Jürgen Hardt (Christian Democratic Union), Niels Schmid (Social Democratic Party), and Deborah Dühring (Alliance 90/The Greens) expressed their deep concern over this shift in policy and warned that the decision contradicted the desire of the Georgian people for closer ties with Europe.
The statement also pointed to the ongoing protests in Georgia, which have been met with “heavy-handed tactics” by the authorities.
Reports indicated that police had used tear gas, water cannons, and rubber bullets to disperse demonstrators, and several hundred protesters had been detained. Many of the detainees have reported mistreatment by the security forces, the lawmakers said.
“We are deeply concerned about the risk of further repression. The right to peaceful assembly is a fundamental right that must be respected,” the German lawmakers said, calling for an “end to the violence” against demonstrators and the “immediate release” of those detained. They also stressed that “all acts of violence should be investigated” and that “those responsible should be held accountable”.
The lawmakers also called on the European Union to impose targeted sanctions on individuals involved in serious human rights violations. At the national level, Germany has already imposed entry bans on nine key individuals in Georgia.
In their statement, the German lawmakers also reiterated their “unwavering support” for Georgia’s European aspirations, emphasizing the need for a pluralistic process to restore democracy.
They expressed their commitment to supporting Georgia’s civil society and helping guide the country back to a democratic and European path.
