24 Nations Demand Georgia Reverse Democratic Decline After OSCE Report
A group of 24 countries, including the UK, has called on Georgia to reverse its democratic decline. The appeal follows a damning report by the OSCE's Moscow Mechanism, which details serious human rights abuses and political repression since early 2024. The statement demands immediate action to restore political freedoms and judicial independence.
The OSCE report, published in spring 2024, highlights a sharp decline in Georgia's democratic standards. It documents widespread violence against protesters, journalists, and opposition figures. Some detainees allegedly faced treatment amounting to torture, with investigations into these claims deemed ineffective.
The 24 nations have outlined five urgent steps for Georgian authorities. These include halting arbitrary arrests of political opponents and releasing those detained on political grounds. The report also calls for the repeal or revision of laws that clash with international human rights rules. Another key demand is the restoration of public trust in the judiciary. Authorities must ensure courts operate independently and uphold fair trial standards. Despite the report's findings, no concrete measures by the Georgian government to address these issues have been recorded since its release. The statement further urges Georgia to abandon plans to ban opposition parties. It stresses the need for political pluralism and an end to the crackdown on dissent.
The joint call from 24 countries puts pressure on Georgia to act on the OSCE's findings. Without reforms, the report warns, the country risks further democratic erosion and international isolation. The next steps depend on whether authorities implement the recommended changes.
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