The European Parliament strongly condemns attempts to ban Georgian opposition parties and demands the immediate withdrawal of the constitutional lawsuit filed against them, reads the text of the European Parliament draft resolution, which is set to be put to a vote later.

In the draft resolution, the European Parliament emphasizes that a functioning political opposition is an integral pillar of democracy and that the destruction of a legitimate political opposition through judicial means is incompatible with democracy.

In the resolution, the European Parliament:

“Strongly condemns the attempt to outlaw Georgia’s opposition parties and demands the immediate withdrawal of the constitutional claim against them; stresses that a functioning political opposition is an indispensable pillar of democracy and that eliminating legitimate political opposition through judicial means is incompatible with democracy; notes that banning the sole opposition party represented in the Georgian Parliament dismantles the regime’s previous narrative of only targeting ‘boycotting’ parties;

Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners, including Elene Khoshtaria, Mzia Amaglobeli, Mikheil Saakashvili, Giorgi Baramidze and Nika Melia, and of all those detained for peaceful protest; calls for dropping politically motivated ‘sabotage’ charges;

Calls for the repeal of provisions enabling disproportionate restrictions on parties and individuals associated with prohibited parties; condemns the misuse of legislation and state institutions to silence political opponents; calls for an end to the obstruction of European political foundations;

Regrets the persistent lack of action by the EU and most Member States to ensure tangible consequences for the continuously deteriorating situation in Georgia; reiterates its call for targeted sanctions against and visa bans for those responsible for democratic backsliding, violent repression and political persecution, first and foremost Bidzina Ivanishvili, Irakli Kobakhidze, Shalva Papuashvili and Kakha Kaladze”.