Georgian Parliament Speaker accuses ‘EU-funded NGOs’ of spreading xenophobia

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili has accused EU-funded civil society organisations of inciting xenophobia and social unrest, following a social media post by Baia Pataraia, the head of the women’s rights NGO Sapari earlier this week. 

Pataraia has criticised the Georgian government for allowing Russian “military personnel” during a fencing competition to enter the country ahead of the anniversary of the 2008 war [with Russia], calling it a “provocation” and warning that the public would not tolerate what she described as “pampering” Russian forces.

In his response on Monday, Papuashvili condemned the remarks as xenophobic and claimed that such rhetoric was being fuelled by NGOs financially supported by the European Union.

“This is, without question, xenophobia - xenophobia funded and encouraged by the EU delegation,” Papuashvili wrote on Facebook. “No war, including Russia’s, justifies targeting people based on nationality or inciting hatred against them.”

He continued: “The goal of this new wave of so-called ‘pro-European xenophobia’ is to spread hate and provoke violence. And, of course, the EU delegation will neither condemn nor distance itself from the xenophobia of its grantees.”

Papuashvili cited “past incidents,” including a 2022 case in which a woman of Slavic appearance was attacked in Tbilisi, as evidence of the dangers of what he described as NGO-led hate campaigns. He accused civil society organisations of being disconnected from Georgian society and promoting divisive rhetoric.

“If we had responded to every war or injustice with hatred, Georgia wouldn’t have survived for millennia,” he wrote. “But these NGOs walk the streets today filled with hatred, bitterness, and hostility - completely alien to the values of our people.”