US Congressman urges OSCE Chief to cancel Georgia visit to avoid recognition of “authoritarian regime”

Republican Congressman Joe Wilson, Co-Chairman of the US Helsinki Commission, has called on OSCE Secretary General Feridun Sinirlioğlu to postpone his upcoming trip to Tbilisi. He warned that any engagement with the Georgian government could be perceived as legitimizing what he described as an authoritarian regime.

Wilson wrote in a post on X: “As @HelsinkiComm Co-Chairman, I have urged @OSCE Secretary General Sinirlioğlu to postpone his trip to Tbilisi. Any visits to the illegitimate Ivanishvili regime would only be misrepresented as an endorsement of their tyrannical takeover. We must stand with the Georgian people!”

In an official letter dated April 17, Wilson urged Sinirlioğlu to reconsider his planned visit, which is part of a broader regional tour including Armenia and Azerbaijan. Wilson wrote:

“I urge you to postpone your planned visit to Georgia next week. While I understand it is part of a regional trip, there is not the same urgency for you to visit Georgia as there is for Armenia and Azerbaijan. Meetings with high-level Georgian Dream officials will only serve to legitimize their positions and recent government actions.”

He cited the findings of OSCE election observers following Georgia’s October elections, noting that the process was marred by restrictive legislation, pressure on voters, and suppression of civil liberties, raising serious doubts about the legitimacy of the ruling Georgian Dream government.

“Since then, Georgian Dream officials have undertaken a brutal campaign of violence against peaceful demonstrators and arrests of innocent activists and members of the opposition,” the letter continues. “Just this week, the Georgian Dream-controlled parliament passed amendments that will require foreign donors—including international organizations such as the OSCE—to get government approval for grants; penalize recipients of unapproved grants; and tighten restrictions on activities of political parties.”

Wilson stressed that if Sinirlioğlu proceeds with the visit, it would send a message that the OSCE endorses the current government’s undemocratic actions—even if that is not the organization’s intent.

“All past indications are that Georgian Dream would intentionally portray the visit as an explicit endorsement of their agenda,” he warned. “I ask that you postpone your visit to Georgia until and unless there is an improvement in the situation, consistent with OSCE and ODIHR’s prior statements on elections, foreign agents laws, and treatment of protestors.”

Sinirlioğlu is expected to visit Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia next week as part of a regional tour.