Today, July 19, 2021, in the Batumi International Conference, Civil Society organizations and Media representatives address Charles Michel, President of the European Council:
Dear President Michel,
We are grateful for your engagement and continuous efforts that you personally and the European Union Ambassador have provided in support of the rule of law and fundamental freedoms in Georgia.
As we wholeheartedly welcome the spirit of Batumi International Conference of deepening and enhancing existing relations between the EU and Eastern Partnership countries of Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine, we, the undersigned civil society organizations and media outlets see your efforts even more important against the backdrop of recent developments in Georgia.
The ruling party’s failure to implement the EU and the US-mediated April 19 agreement is likely to further undermine the public’s confidence in the judiciary and has already led to harsh criticism by Georgia’s international partners. Despite repeated calls to pause nominations until the adoption of meaningful judicial reforms, the ruling Georgian Dream party approved six Supreme Court judges, ignoring the criticism of local civil society groups, but also that of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights.
The lack of political will to undertake meaningful changes is also true for electoral reforms in the country. Despite the resignation of the Central Election Commission Chair, the independence of the election administration remains problematic. Because of the high significance of the upcoming municipal elections, and the likelihood of serious flaws in them, intense scrutiny by international and domestic stakeholders is warranted.
The unchecked homophobic violence earlier this month was a major setback, undermining fundamental freedoms in the country and questioning Georgia’s democratic aspirations. The Georgian government failed to protect or condoned violence against its citizens by far-right groups, tacitly or openly supported by representatives of the Orthodox Church. The Tbilisi Pride march was canceled after participants and journalists were violently attacked by far-right mobs, amidst inadequate police protection. The pogroms on the media and LGBTQI community have led to the physical injuries of dozens of journalists and media workers, the death of a cameraman Lekso Lashkarava, and deep societal trauma. However, it should also be noted that the Georgian media and civil society demonstrated unprecedented solidarity and a commitment to the freedom of expression and equality in the country. Although police arrested several perpetrators, the organizers of the pogroms remain at large. The ruling party continues attacks on the media and boycotts critical media outlets, flouting Georgia’s obligations on freedom of expression and information.
Now more than ever, Georgia’s international partners should stand united in support of democracy and fundamental freedoms in the country. We urge you to continue your close engagement with Georgia’s leadership and speak publicly against democratic setbacks and work with Georgia’s civil society to ensure the country’s progress on the path to Euro-Atlantic integration.
Sincerely,
Alliance of Broadcasters – AB
Institute for Development of Freedom of Information – IDFI
International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy – ISFED
Transparency International – Georgia
Georgian Young Lawyers Association – GYLA
Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics
Georgian Democracy Initiative – GDI
Georgian Association of Small and Medium Telecommunication Operators
Rights Georgia
Open Society Foundation
Georgian Regional Media Association – GRMA
Liberal Academy Tbilisi
Media Development Fund
Media Rights
Media Club
TV Network
Civil Society Institute (CSI)
Democratic Research Institute (DRI)
Human Rights Center (HRC)
Shame Movement
Social Justice Center
Sapari
Partnership for human rights
Pen Center
Media and Communication Educational and Research Center
Independent Journalists’ House
Green Sector
Mtavari arkhi
Formula
TV PIRVELI
TV Kavkasia
Media Holding Hereti
Newspaper Batumelebi
Netgazeti
Indigo Media
Publika
Tabula
Media Holding Kronika
ON.ge
Media.Ge
Investigative Journalists’ Team “iFact”
Internews Georgia
Openrustavi.Ge
Media Group Rustavi
Guriismoambe.com
Metronom.ge
Kutaisi Today
Radio old town
Dailyinfo.ge
At.ge
FirtsNews.ge
News Agency Expressnews
TV akhali
TV Odishi
Newsrepors.ge
Newsposts.ge
Kutaisi Post
Institute of Democracy
TV 25
Ecofact.ge