UNM’s Bokuchava: several PACE members highlighted need for sanctions, including against Ivanishvili

Chair of the United National Movement, Tina Bokuchava, on Wednesday said it was significant that a number of members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) spoke about the need for sanctions during the debate on Georgia and specifically emphasised the necessity of sanctioning the ruling party founder Bidzina Ivanishvili.

Commenting on the discussion held at PACE following the adoption of a new resolution on Georgia, Bokuchava said European parliamentarians expressed deep concern over developments in the country and the state of democracy.

“A very intense debate took place at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, in a chamber from which, unfortunately, the delegation of the ‘Russian Dream’ has been expelled. As a result, Georgia has no official representation there because of the authoritarian policies and actions carried out by Ivanishvili in our country,” Bokuchava stated.

According to her, instead of Georgia being discussed as a successful European democracy, the country was described by a German parliamentarian as “the greatest disappointment,” which she called one of the harshest assessments voiced during the session.

Bokuchava noted that participants in the debate raised concerns about political prisoners in Georgia and mentioned several opposition politicians by name. She also said particular concern was expressed regarding Elene Khoshtaria.

“Several parliamentarians spoke about the need for sanctions and notably stressed the necessity of sanctioning Bidzina Ivanishvili. British MPs, in particular, directly called on the UK government to continue its sanctions policy, including the targeted sanctions imposed on Imedi TV and POSTV. Today’s resolution is important in every respect,” Bokuchava said.

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted a new resolution on Georgia, titled “The Functioning of Democratic Institutions in Georgia.” The resolution was approved by 83 votes, while five members voted against it. The document is based on the report prepared by PACE co-rapporteurs monitoring developments in Georgia.