OSCE PA Adopts Hague Declaration, Resolutions Expressing Concerns About Developments in Georgia
The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) adopted the wide-ranging Hague Declaration and accompanying resolutions on July 8, with the declaration expressing “serious concerns” over Georgia’s “democratic backsliding” while a critical resolution called on Georgia to release “all political prisoners,” repeal or revise “restrictive legislation,” and embark on a “genuine reform process.”
Ahead of the vote, which marked the conclusion of the OSCE PA’s 33rd Annual Session in The Hague, the Georgian delegation, led by Nikoloz Samkharadze, chair of the disputed parliament’s foreign affairs committee, announced that it would not participate in the vote in protest.
Samkharadze said the amended version of the declaration “deliberately distorts political reality in Georgia, gravely misrepresents and falsifies facts, completely disregards violent attacks on state institutions, and arbitrarily interprets the election observation and Moscow Mechanism report, thus threatening Georgia’s national interests.” He added that the delegation would not participate in the voting process “as a sign of protest.” The delegation reportedly walked out of the session.
Responding to the move, OSCE PA President Pere Joan Pons said, “Leaving the seats empty even in your country was not a good decision, so you do exactly the same here. I think leaving seats empty in parliament is always the worst option because democracy is, above all, about being altogether and trying to resolve conflict.”
Georgia in the Hague Declaration
The Hague Declaration mentioned Georgia in several contexts. It first expressed “serious concern” over Georgia’s “democratic backsliding, violence against protesters, opposition figures and journalists, restrictions affecting civil society and independent media, and attempts to ban major opposition parties, as reflected in the Moscow Mechanism Report.”
The declaration, meanwhile, reaffirmed support for “the people of Georgia and for democratic governance, political pluralism and the protection of fundamental freedoms in Georgia,” emphasizing the “need to safeguard democratic institutions, uphold the rule of law and ensure that political processes remain inclusive, transparent and in line with OSCE commitments.”
It also reaffirmed support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, condemned the continued occupation by Russia of the Abkhazia and South Ossetia/Tskhinvali regions of Georgia, and encouraged “all parties to continue engagement within existing international formats,” including the Geneva International Discussions (GID).
The declaration further called on the Georgian authorities “to ensure that civil society, independent media and opposition figures can operate freely and safely, to refrain from violence and politically motivated prosecution, and to foster an inclusive political process grounded in democratic principles and OSCE commitments,” urging “the prompt and full implementation of the recommendations contained in the report prepared under the OSCE Moscow Mechanism.”
Resolution on Upholding Election Integrity and Fundamental Freedoms in Georgia
The accompanying resolution on Georgia, titled “Upholding Election Integrity and Fundamental Freedoms in Georgia,” was sponsored by U.S. Representative Joe Wilson, a vocal critic of the Georgian Dream government.
The resolution expressed concern over Georgia’s October 2024 parliamentary elections, noting that “reports from the OSCE/ODIHR observation mission highlighted significant irregularities, including voter intimidation, pressure on public employees, and a lack of secrecy in the voting process.” It also said the OSCE PA is “disturbed” by “signs of falsification, vote tampering, reports of voter bribery, ‘carousel voting’ and obstruction of opposition observers at polling stations during the October 2025 local elections.”
The resolution emphasized that “the legitimacy of any electoral outcome is contingent upon its adherence to international standards for free, fair, and transparent elections.”
The document deplored what it called “restrictive legislation,” citing the “Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence,” also known as the Foreign Agents Law, as well as amendments to the Law on Assemblies and Demonstrations and the Code on Administrative Offences, which it said “severely restrict the freedoms of association, media, expression, and assembly, creating a chilling effect on civil society.”
The resolution expressed alarm over “the systematic use of administrative resources and the consolidation of institutional power,” arguing that these “have created an uneven playing field, undermined public trust in the democratic process and created a de facto one-party rule.”
It also condemned “the continued use of arbitrary detentions, arrests and harassment against members of the political opposition, media representatives, and peaceful protesters,” reiterating that “the erosion of democratic checks and balances and the departure from OSCE commitments directly jeopardize Georgia’s path toward Euro-Atlantic integration.”
The resolution called on the Georgian authorities to “release all Georgian political prisoners” identified by national and international rights groups, “repeal or revise legislation that restricts fundamental freedoms, including provisions affecting freedom of expression, media pluralism and the independence of broadcasters, in line with Georgia’s international human rights obligations.”
It also called on Tbilisi to “initiate a comprehensive and transparent investigation into all reported electoral violations from the 2024 and 2025 elections” and to “bring those responsible to account.”
“Embark on a genuine reform process, in consultation with the Venice Commission and ODIHR, to restore the independence of the judiciary and the Central Election Commission,” the resolution urged the authorities, adding, “Guarantee a safe environment for civil society and independent media to operate without fear of retribution.”
The document also called on OSCE participating states and the international community to “consistently urge the Georgian authorities to immediately restore democratic norms and organize future electoral processes that fully comply with OSCE commitments,” and to “withhold recognition of any election results in Georgia that have not been certified as free, fair, and democratic by credible international and domestic observation missions.”
Lastly, it urged them to “remain vigilant in monitoring the human rights situation in Georgia, including in the regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia/Tskhinvali,” and provide “continued support to all affected populations in their pursuit of fundamental freedoms, human dignity and democratic values.”
Resolution on International Justice, Humanitarian Law and Human Rights as the Foundations of Lasting Peace and Security in the OSCE Region
A separate resolution, titled “International Justice, Humanitarian Law and Human Rights as the Foundations of Lasting Peace and Security in the OSCE Region,” also addressed Georgia, encouraging “inclusive dialogue and the peaceful resolution of political tensions” in the country.
The resolution “strongly condemned” the adoption and implementation of legislation that “unduly restricts civil society, media freedom and the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly,” as well as the “excessive and indiscriminate use of force against peaceful protesters, journalists and civil society actors.”
It called for the repeal of such legislation, “the immediate cessation of violence, intimidation and arbitrary detention,” and the release of “all persons arbitrarily detained for the peaceful exercise of their rights.”
The document also urged “prompt, independent and effective investigations into all allegations of excessive use of force, including the 2024 protests, with accountability for perpetrators and reparations to victims.”
Also Read:
- 11/03/2026 – OSCE PA Delegation Concludes Visit to Georgia, Notes ‘Absence of Political Dialogue’
- 10/03/2026 – OSCE PA Delegation Visits Georgia
- 03/07/2025 – OSCE PA Urges Release of ‘All Political Prisoners’, Holding New Elections in Georgia
- 19/04/2025 – Joe Wilson Urges OSCE Secretary General to Postpone Planned Visit to Georgia