Norway's Helsinki Committee: Banning Opposition Voices Pushes Country Toward Authoritarianism

The Norwegian Helsinki Committee condemns the attempt by Georgian Dream to ban five opposition parties through the Constitutional Court. This is stated in the committee's statement.

According to the committee, this is happening against the backdrop of the disputed 2024 parliamentary elections, large-scale protest rallies, repressive laws, restrictions on civil society and independent media, a protracted political crisis, and a growing number of political prisoners.

The organization notes that Georgian Dream accuses opposition parties of trying to undermine the constitutional order of Georgia. The targeted parties deny this and consider it politically motivated.

The statement reads: "Banning opposition voices will push the country further toward authoritarianism. European countries and institutions should support the people of Georgia and call for such actions to be halted. Fundamental freedoms and Georgia's international human rights obligations must be protected. The political opposition, civil society groups and independent voices must be able to act freely without fear of intimidation."