CoE Sec Gen expresses disappointment about Georgian authorities adopting foreign influence law without Venice Commission opinion

Marija Pejčinović Burić, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, on Wednesday expressed disappointment that the Georgian Parliament had adopted the controversial law on transparency of foreign influence on Tuesday without waiting for the opinion of the body’s Venice Commission’s about the legislative piece.

Burić said the Georgian authorities had also “ignored international partners’ concerns” on the law’s “incompatibility with European democratic and human rights standards, while the lack of genuine parliamentary deliberations is not in accordance with an inclusive democratic process”.

As the Venice Commission is to issue its opinion soon, its legal recommendations should provide the basis for meaningful dialogue and allow a way forward in line with Council of Europe norms and values”, she also said.

I am also deeply troubled by numerous reports, including by the Public Defender of Georgia, regarding intimidation campaigns, physical assaults, the disproportionate use of force, unlawful detentions, the spread of personal data and the use of stigmatising official narratives to target peaceful protestors, civil activists, journalists and opposition representatives”, she added in reference to reports on the backdrop of public protests in the country against the law’s adoption.

The official called on the Georgian authorities to “take immediate steps” to prevent actions which were “irreconcilable with the principles of a democratic society”, and to ensure “proper and effective investigations into all reported cases of alleged rights abuses”.

Burić added the CoE was “ready to assist the country” to ensure “full compliance with international standards, thereby consolidating its democratic development and further progress towards EU accession”.