Georgian Parliament official slams European bureaucracy over attempts to discredit Georgia

Archil Gorduladze, Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s Committee on Legal Affairs, on Wednesday criticised what he described as the approach of European bureaucracy toward Georgia, accusing it of seeking to discredit the country and exert pressure on the choices made by Georgian voters.

Gorduladze made the remarks while commenting on concerns over Georgia’s human rights situation raised during a session of the UN Human Rights Council.

“Unfortunately, we see that the attitude of the unelected bureaucracy toward Georgia has not changed. Once again, it is lies and yet another attempt to discredit Georgia”, he said.

The official said tensions between Georgia and parts of the European political establishment had become particularly evident following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

“There is a bureaucracy and representatives of this bureaucracy within the European Union whose objective has not changed in recent years, something that became particularly evident in February 2022. Following the events that began in Ukraine, they have become particularly hostile and aggressive not only toward our team but also toward the people who made their choice”, he said.

Gorduladze also referred to the use of Molotov cocktails during protests, accusing European actors of overlooking or downplaying attacks against police while criticising Georgian authorities for seeking to hold those responsible accountable.

“European bureaucracy has reached the point where throwing a Molotov cocktail at a law enforcement officer, attempting to burn them alive, and openly and publicly paying money for all of this is apparently considered heroism. Then they accuse the state of democratic backsliding for demanding accountability for such actions”, Gorduladze concluded.

The human rights situation in Georgia was also addressed during the third meeting of the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council.

The demands remain unchanged, including calls for the repeal of certain laws. A statement issued following the session also said that the European Union condemned the detention of opposition leaders.