The Georgian delegation refused to participate in the vote on the “Hague Declaration” at the plenary session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. The decision was made in protest against the content of the document — it contained a resolution criticizing the Georgian authorities, initiated by US Senator Joe Wilson.
Before the vote began, Nikoloz Samkharadze, the head of the parliamentary Foreign Relations Committee, stated that certain provisions of the updated version of the declaration distort the political reality in the country, misrepresent facts, and pose a threat to Georgia’s national interests. Samkharadze also requested that the position of the Georgian delegation be reflected in the official minutes of the session and thanked the Parliament of the Netherlands for organizing the event and for their hospitality.
“Our delegation will not participate in the voting process as a sign of protest. It is particularly regrettable that we have to make such a decision in The Hague of all places — a city that is a symbol of international law,” he said.
President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Pere Joan Pons Sampietro commented on the Georgian delegation’s decision, stating that refusing to participate in the work of the PA or leaving seats empty is the worst option, as democracy, above all, involves a joint search for solutions and conflict resolution.
“Empty seats in parliament are always the worst option, because democracy is, first and foremost, a joint attempt to resolve conflicts,” Pons said, addressing Samkharadze.
After the Georgian delegation walked out of the session, the OSCE PA adopted the “Hague Declaration,” which included a resolution on the situation in Georgia — “Safeguarding the Integrity of Elections and Fundamental Freedoms in Georgia.”
The main sponsor of the resolution was US Congressman Joe Wilson. The document contains criticism of the Georgian authorities regarding the elections, legislative changes, and the human rights situation.