CoE Sec Gen says he respects Georgia’s sovereignty and judicial independence, urges ruling majority to preserve space for opposition

Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset on Tuesday urged Georgia’s ruling majority to uphold democracy and political pluralism ahead of the Constitutional Court’s hearings on a lawsuit seeking to ban five opposition parties, while stressing that he would not prejudge the outcome and respected judicial independence and national sovereignty.

“The Constitutional Court of Georgia is beginning hearings on the case concerning the banning of five opposition parties. The lawsuit was filed by 88 MPs from the ruling majority. I will not prejudge the outcome of the proceedings and fully respect the principles of sovereignty and judicial independence. However, I urge the ruling majority to protect political pluralism and preserve space for the political opposition”, Berset said.

He noted that political pluralism was essential to a healthy democracy and a central element of Georgia’s commitments as a member of the Council of Europe.

“As a state party to the European Convention on Human Rights, Georgia is obliged to guarantee freedom of expression and the freedoms of peaceful assembly and association. These rights enable different political forces to organise, express their views and participate in elections”, Berset said.

“According to the European Court of Human Rights’ case law, banning a political party requires particularly compelling justification and must meet strict tests of necessity and proportionality. These are fundamental standards of the common European legal space, of which Georgia is a part”, he added.

Berset stressed that the ruling majority bore particular responsibility for upholding these standards and respecting the legitimate role of the political opposition both inside and outside Parliament.

“A ruling party that seeks to remove the democratic constraints on its own power weakens the very country it claims to serve”, he said.

Berset further warned that the proceedings were taking place amid growing restrictions on civil society, independent media and freedom of peaceful assembly, saying that these developments collectively threatened the checks and balances essential to democratic governance in Georgia.

“The Council of Europe would closely monitor developments and continue its dialogue with Georgia to promote compliance with the Convention, fulfilment of its obligations, the preservation of political pluralism and the protection of the fundamental rights and freedoms of all citizens”, he concluded.

The Constitutional Court of Georgia is scheduled to hear the lawsuit concerning the constitutionality and banning of five political parties on October 21, 22 and 23.