Georgian Parliament official: transparency cornerstone of democracy, ensuring informed citizenry

Rati Ionatamishvili, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s Human Rights and Civil Integration Committee, on Monday emphasised the importance of transparency as a fundamental principle of democracy, especially in response to recent criticism from European officials.

His remarks followed renewed criticism from international actors after the enactment of Georgia’s foreign agent registration law.

“When we talk about democracy, one of its core foundations is upholding the principle of transparency, because transparency ensures that citizens are informed”, Ionatamishvili said.

He further criticised what he sees as a double standard.

“When certain European bureaucrats claim that transparency is acceptable in their countries but not in Georgia, they are effectively admitting that their true concern is not democracy, but hidden agendas. These individuals have turned into agents of double standards”, Ionatamishvili concluded.