The Lithuanian Seimas (parliament) has adopted a resolution, with 109 votes in favor and one against, urging the European Union and its member states to impose personal sanctions on Georgian officials and political leaders directly or indirectly responsible for the violent repression of the country's civilian population.
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The Seimas has strongly condemned the violence of the Georgian Government against peaceful protesters in Tbilisi and elsewhere in the country, the intimidation and illegal detention of civil society and media representatives, and the systematic dissemination of disinformation narratives of Russian propaganda by officials of the ruling party and pro-government media to influence democratic processes in the country.
Through the adopted resolution, the Seimas supports the European Parliament’s call for new parliamentary elections in Georgia. In view of the extent of violations, such as the falsification of ballot papers, the restriction of the free will of voters, and interference in the activities of and undermining of the independence of election observers and the media, the Seimas concluded that the Georgian parliamentary elections of 26 October 2024 had failed to meet the international standards for democratic elections and should therefore be considered neither free nor fair.
The Resolution supports the call for an independent and transparent international investigation into allegations of electoral manipulation, voter intimidation and systemic irregularities.
The Seimas calls on the EU to limit official contacts at the EU level with the Georgian Government and Parliament; to suspend financial support to the Georgian Government and authorities; and to accordingly increase support for Georgian civil society and free media.
Furthermore, Seimas calls on the Heads of State and Government of the European Union to fully support the President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, until free and fair parliamentary elections recognised by the international community are held.
The resolution Stresses that the protection of fundamental rights is a necessary criterion for the liberalisation of the European Union's visa regime, and calls on the European Commission and the Council to review the status of Georgia's visa-free regime and, if necessary, to suspend it.
Seimas stresses that it will continue to support the aspirations of the Georgian people for integration into the European Union, although progress on the path of integration remains stalled until the main problems related to the fundamental criteria for the enlargement of the European Union are substantially resolved.
