The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) Congress in Vienna has adopted a resolution on Georgia: “Supporting the Georgian People’s Struggle for Democracy Against Authoritarian Captivity and Alliance with Russia.”
The authors write that while an increasing number of countries in the region are freeing themselves from Russian influence, “the Ivanishvili regime has turned its rule into Russia’s last stronghold and satellite in Eastern Europe, deliberately severing ties with the democratic world and destroying the country’s democratic achievements.”
ALDE states that it recognizes the courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment of the Georgian people to a European future, emphasizing that Georgia will become an EU member state.
The authors expressed concern over:
- the deterioration of democracy and the destruction of independent state institutions;
- the recent politically motivated detentions of protesters, students, and medical professionals, including physician Giorgi Chakhunashvili;
- the unlawful arrest of prominent politicians, including representatives of ALDE-affiliated parties. In particular, the document mentions Elene Khoshtaria, whose health is reportedly deteriorating rapidly and requires immediate attention, as well as Paata Manjgaladze, Secretary General of the Strategy Aghmashenebeli party;
- the systematic persecution of all leaders of ALDE-affiliated parties who are either already in custody or, as the authors of the resolution claim, could face politically motivated criminal charges in the coming months.
In the document, ALDE calls on EU leaders and European states to:
- take decisive action and develop a clear and uncompromising policy towards the Ivanishvili regime;
- immediately introduce targeted personal sanctions against those responsible for serious human rights violations, democratic backsliding, and the organization of political repression;
- impose tough financial sanctions against individuals supporting the regime, as well as against its financial and other support networks;
- demand that the Georgian authorities immediately provide Elene Khoshtaria with proper, systematic, and result-oriented medical treatment, and immediately release all political prisoners;
- use all available diplomatic, political, and economic tools to actively support the Georgian people in their struggle for freedom;
- clearly distinguish between the Georgian people and the current government, opposing any blanket suspension of the visa-free regime and focusing sanctions on those responsible for the repression.
The Alliance condemned the annexation of Georgia’s occupied territories and Russia’s attempts to annex the occupied Tskhinvali region.