Georgian Parliament official at OSCE PA: unsubstantiated allegations in Georgia-related resolutions undermine Assembly’s credibility

When resolutions on Georgia become a vehicle for spreading unverified allegations and one-sided interpretations, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly risks losing the trust of states that regard it as an impartial actor and an honest broker, said on Wednesday Levan Makhashvili, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s Committee on European Integration.

In his address to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Makhashvili noted that double standards do not strengthen the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly but instead weaken it from within.

“The credibility of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly is not an abstract concept, but the foundation of its authority. When issues related to Georgia are viewed through the prism of short-term headlines rather than verified facts, we are not only distorting reality, but also damaging the very institution we serve”, he said.

Makhashvili further argued that the Assembly was misrepresenting key facts related to Georgia, in particular:

• The OSCE/ODIHR observation mission did not conclude that Georgia’s elections were rigged. Nevertheless, this Assembly is preparing to misrepresent the OSCE/ODIHR’s findings.
• The Moscow Mechanism report established nothing beyond referring to allegations. Nevertheless, this Assembly intends to present those allegations as established facts.
• In Georgia, both violent demonstrators and representatives of law enforcement agencies have been held legally accountable. Nevertheless, this Assembly seeks to claim that ‘peaceful’ protesters burned the parliament building, attacked the presidential palace, and injured hundreds of police officers.

“Such excessive politicisation turns OSCE institutions and mechanisms into instruments of selective political retribution rather than platforms for security and cooperation”, the Chair continued.

Makhashvili further added that countries increasingly perceive the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly not as a defender of common principles, but as a promoter of a selective political agenda, stressing that the result is reduced participation, weaker cooperation and the Assembly’s gradual marginalisation.

“In doing so, we undermine the legitimacy of the very organisation we are meant to protect”, he said.

“Dear colleagues, if we want the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly to preserve its credibility, our only compass must be facts, facts and facts alone”, Makhashvili concluded.