OSCE Chair Valtonen condemns arrests of opposition leaders in Georgia as ‘disproportionate legal actions’

The Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE and Foreign Minister of Finland, Elina Valtonen, has condemned the arrests of opposition leaders in Georgia, describing them as actions carried out through “disproportionate legal procedures”.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Maka Bochorishvili in Tbilisi on Tuesday, Valtonen said her visit was focused on engagement with civil society, emphasising that in any democratic system, people must have the right to choose.

“We condemn the arrests of opposition leaders that are being carried out through disproportionate legal procedures. Freedom of expression and assembly are being called into question. Civil society is not a threat to stability - on the contrary, NGOs, human rights defenders, journalists and other institutions are essential parts of democratic resilience,” Valtonen said.

She stressed that civil society organisations must be protected and their voices not only heard but also safeguarded.

Valtonen also thanked the Georgian side for its cooperation within the Geneva International Discussions and the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism, noting the importance of continuing active engagement in these processes to ensure border security.

“The OSCE values Georgia’s continued involvement in the Geneva International Discussions. We see potential for further cooperation in this area and the OSCE stands ready to provide expert support alongside the monitoring mission,” she noted.

The Finnish Foreign Minister underlined that reconciliation remained a key element in building lasting peace and called on the Georgian Government to do more in this direction.

“Georgia deserves respect for its sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of its borders - principles enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act. The Georgian people also deserve the protection of human rights, freedom of expression, participation and other fundamental liberties. The Government must find a way out of the current crisis, restore trust and strengthen democratic institutions,” Valtonen said, reaffirming that the OSCE and Finland stand ready to assist Georgia in fulfilling its commitments.