OSCE report ‘severe’ for the country, For Georgia opposition

An opposition lawmaker from For Georgia, Giga Parulava, on Friday said a report published under the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s Moscow Mechanism represented a serious development for Georgia.

Speaking at a briefing, Parulava said the findings should not be treated as a cause for celebration, given the implications for the country’s international standing.

“The conclusion is extremely serious for our country. Considering the interests of the state, no one has grounds for celebration,” he said.

Parulava also drew comparisons with previous cases in which the OSCE Moscow Mechanism was activated, referring to Russia in 2022 and Belarus in 2023, and saying Georgia had now joined that list.

He accused the ruling Georgian Dream party of being responsible for what he described as systemic human rights violations, intimidation, violence and persecution of dissent.

Parulava also claimed that the report refers to what he described as politically motivated actions against former prime minister Giorgi Gakharia, his party founder, including an alleged physical attack motivated by political retaliation.

Addressing supporters of the ruling party, the opposition MP said they were the only group still capable of influencing the government’s actions. 

He also argued that, under the current authorities, Georgia would not be able to join the European Union.

The OSCE report examines developments in Georgia since the spring of 2024 in relation to human rights and fundamental freedoms and provides a number of recommendations.