EU urges Georgia: repeal family values law, protect LGBTIQ+ rights for visa-free travel

The European Commission has sent a letter to Georgia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Maka Botchorishvili, outlining eight recommendations the country must fulfill to avoid jeopardizing its visa-free travel with the EU.

One of the main recommendations is the repeal of the laws on transparency of foreign influence and on protection of family values and minors.

Furthermore, the European Commission urges Georgia to ensure and support the fundamental rights of all Georgian citizens, including freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, inviolability of private life, the right to work in public service, and the prohibition of discrimination.

Brussels also calls on Tbilisi to amend its National Human Rights Strategy and Action Plan to ensure the full protection of LGBTIQ community rights.

According to the European Commission, Georgia must align its visa policy with the European Union's list of third countries, particularly concerning citizens from countries that pose a threat to EU security and contribute to illegal migration.

Georgia is also tasked with intensifying measures to eliminate the problem of unfounded asylum claims, conducting an information campaign about the visa-free regime, and implementing stricter border controls.

The EU urges Georgia to establish offices for asset recovery and management, and to continue working on asset monitoring, freezing, management, confiscation, and utilization.

Georgia is also recommended to approve a new anti-corruption strategy and action plan, ensure sufficient resources for their implementation, and pay special attention to the investigation, prosecution, and deliberation of corruption cases at the highest levels of government.

At Brussels' request, Tbilisi must also amend the Law on the Anti-Corruption Bureau and take into account the key recommendations of the Venice Commission, which ensure the bureau's political neutrality and effective operation.

The final recommendation for Georgia concerns bringing its Law on Personal Data into compliance with European legislation.