"My country and my people are now at a crossroads. Georgia will either continue its quest to become part of a free and united Europe or once again become Russia's backyard, as it was during the Soviet Union. The choice of the Georgian people is clear: we choose freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. We see the future of Georgia in the European Union and NATO," said Vano Chkhikvadze, head of the European Integration Program of the Civil Society Foundation, during a hearing in the US Congress regarding the recent developments in Georgia.
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Chkhikvadze noted that the Georgian government, by adopting the Russian Law on so-called Foreign Agents, is erecting a wall between Georgia and the West, against the will of the people.
"This law will completely silence critical voices and destroy the vibrant civil society that the country has built over the years with the support of our friends and partners, including USAID. The law contradicts the US-Georgia Strategic Partnership Charter, which aims to strengthen independent media, freedom of expression, and access to objective information.
The most important elections will be held in Georgia in less than five months. There is a great danger that these elections will be held without critical media, independent civil society, and local observers. The law portrays civil activists as traitors and foreign agents and is used by the ruling party to discredit organizations and individuals who could otherwise protect Georgia's democracy in October," Chkhikvadze said.
He stated that even before the formal entry into force of the law, many participants in peaceful demonstrations faced state-sponsored terror. Hundreds of peaceful protesters were arrested and beaten, and graffiti such as "enemy of the people" and "an agent lives here" was written near activists' houses. Vano Chkhikvadze noted that "such actions are fully condoned or even encouraged by the ruling party."
He stated that one of the main drivers behind the law on Foreign Agents is the richest man in Georgia, oligarch and leader of Georgian Dream, Bidzina Ivanishvili, who on April 29, during his last speech, openly threatened civil society and opponents of Georgian Dream with repression.
"The ruling party is undermining Georgia's future by increasing its hostile attitude towards Western democratic values and hijacking state institutions such as the courts, law enforcement agencies, and the prosecutor's office. Since the restoration of independence in 1991, all Georgian authorities have sought membership in the European Union and NATO, and close ties with the USA. The ruling party is the only government that is going against the will of the people and is now trying to oppress them because of their desire to get closer to Western democracy.
The vast majority of Georgian society sees its future in Europe, with Western friends and the USA. The history of Georgia shows that the struggle for freedom is part of our lives. We know that we are fighting for our ancestors and for future generations. We know we are not alone in this fight. We appreciate that Western friends and allies stand by us. We appreciate the recently initiated MEGOBARI Act and hope that this legislation will be passed soon. Every minute counts when it comes to stopping Georgia's turn away from democracy. The stakes are very high for Georgia, Georgians, and our friends. It will be a missed opportunity if Georgia's friends do not act now. We appreciate every visit, every statement, every supportive word, but at the same time, we need concrete steps to stop the current Georgian government from moving the country into Russia's orbit. The government of Georgia cannot be given the opportunity to sabotage our hard-won democracy and leave our efforts without results," Vano Chkhikvadze said.
The hearing was held at the initiative of the Helsinki Commission. The chairman of the commission, Joe Wilson, is also the co-author of the MEGOBARI Act bill initiated in Congress.
