Council of Europe Secretary General Calls on Georgian Dream to Protect Political Pluralism

Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset issues a statement ahead of the start of hearings on the lawsuit to ban opposition parties. He calls on Georgian Dream to protect political pluralism and preserve space for the political opposition.

"Without prejudging the outcome of these processes, and with full respect for the principles of sovereignty and judicial independence, I call on the governing majority to protect political pluralism and preserve space for the political opposition," the statement reads.

The statement stresses that political pluralism is essential for a healthy democracy and occupies a central place in the obligations of Georgia as a member of the Council of Europe. According to Berset, as a party to the European Convention on Human Rights, Georgia is obliged to ensure freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly and association.

"It is these rights that allow various political forces to organize, express their positions and take part in elections. The case law of the European Court of Human Rights requires particularly convincing justification for dissolving a political party, which is subject to strict requirements of necessity and proportionality. These are the fundamental standards of the common European legal space to which Georgia belongs.

"The governing majority bears a special responsibility to uphold these conditions and respect the legitimate role of the political opposition, both in parliament and outside it. A ruling party that seeks to remove democratic constraints on its own power weakens precisely the country it seeks to serve," Berset says.

According to the statement, the court proceedings to ban parties are taking place against a backdrop of growing restrictions on civil society, independent media and the freedom of peaceful assembly. Berset says that together these developments threaten to undermine the balance and control mechanisms that are necessary for democratic governance in Georgia.

"The Council of Europe will follow developments closely and will continue its dialogue with Georgia to help ensure the protection of the Convention, the fulfilment of obligations, the preservation of political pluralism and the protection of the fundamental rights and freedoms of all citizens," Berset notes.

With a constitutional lawsuit, Georgian Dream seeks to ban almost all major opposition parties. These include "Unity – National Movement", "Coalition for Change Gvaramia Melia Girchi Time Has Come", "Strong Georgia – Lelo for the People, for Freedom!", "Federalist Party" and "Garakhia for Georgia". Hearings at the Constitutional Court have been scheduled for October 21, 22 and 23.