MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on violations of media freedom and safety of journalists in Georgia

7.6.2022 - (2022/2702(RSP))

with request for inclusion in the agenda for a debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 144 of the Rules of Procedure

Željana Zovko, Miriam Lexmann, Michael Gahler, David McAllister, Rasa Juknevičienė, Sandra Kalniete, Andrius Kubilius, Andrzej Halicki, Isabel Wiseler‑Lima, Krzysztof Hetman, Adam Jarubas, Antonio López‑Istúriz White, Paulo Rangel, Traian Băsescu, Tom Vandenkendelaere, Arba Kokalari, Vangelis Meimarakis, Janina Ochojska, José Manuel Fernandes, Ivan Štefanec, Michaela Šojdrová, Elżbieta Katarzyna Łukacijewska, David Lega, Seán Kelly, Christian Sagartz, Vladimír Bilčík, Andrey Kovatchev, Magdalena Adamowicz, Sara Skyttedal, Romana Tomc, Peter Pollák, Stanislav Polčák, Stelios Kympouropoulos, Eugen Tomac
on behalf of the PPE Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B9-0300/2022

B9‑0304/2022

European Parliament resolution on violations of media freedom and safety of journalists in Georgia

(2022/2702(RSP))

The European Parliament,

-  having regards to previous resolutions on Georgia,

 

-  having regards to the  EU- Georgia Association Agreement/Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, which entered into force on 1 July 2016,

 

-  having regards to the 6th EU-Georgia Association Council of 16 March 2021,

 

-  having regard to the assault on dozens of journalists in Tbilisi by a ultranationalist mob on 5 July 2021,

 

-  having regards to the submission of the membership application by Georgia to become a member of the European Union on 3 March 2022,

 

-  having regards to the sentencing and arrest of Nik Gvaramia, the CEO of Mrtavi TV on 16 May 2022,

 

-  having regard to Rules 144 of its Rules of Procedure,

 

 

1. Whereas on 5 July 2021 during a suspended Pride march in Tbilisi an ultranationalist and pro-Russian mob led by representatives of the Orthodox church verbally abused and attacked media representatives who were covering the event, damaged and destroyed their equipment, obstructed journalistic activities; whereas 53 members of the media were injured and one died after sustaining injuries, namely Lekso Lashkarava, cameraman for Pirveli TV channel; whereas the Georgian government has failed to date to credibly investigate and prosecute the organisers of the violent attack on the media representatives, which resulted in impunity for those abuses; 

 

2. Whereas in January the Tbilisi City Court sentenced the founders of TBC Bank and Lelo party Mamuka Khazaradze, Badri Japaridze and Avtandil Tsereteli, the founder of TV Pirelli and independent TV station, guilty of fraud and sentenced them to 7 years of imprisonment, however their sentence was commuted  as the statute of limitations for fraud has expired;

 

3. Whereas on 16 May 2022 Nik Gvaramia the CEO of Mrtavi TV, a media outlet critical to the current Georgian authorities, was sentenced to 3.5 years of imprisonment by a court in Tbilisi on alleged charges for abusing his position and harming the financial interests of the Rustavi 2 TV station, when he was its CEO;

 

4. Whereas international reports consistently report the deterioration of the media environment in Georgia; whereas Georgia has moved from 60 to 89 th place in the World Press Freedom Index; whereas the number of verbal and physical assault on journalists increases significantly, including those committed by public figures and radial social groups; whereas official investigations lack transparency and effectiveness, leading to impunity as those guilty of crimes against journalists often go unpunished;

 

1. Expresses serious concern about the deterioration of the media environment that is consequently being restrained by the authorities, which use a wide variety of tools to intimidate media representatives and restrict their professional freedom compromising their physical security; considers that the deterioration of the protection of journalists is an intrinsic part of the democratic backsliding observed in Georgia for several years now;

 

2. Calls on the authorities to exercise the full potential of the state to investigate and prosecute those who are responsible for instigating crimes against journalists in Georgia and therefore to eliminate the feeling of impunity condemns the Georgian authorities for not being able to properly investigate and prosecute those who have been responsible for the violence against journalists on 5 June 2021 and the subsequent death of injury of Lekso Lashkarava; calls on the representatives of the authorities to restraint their aggressive comments addressed at the media in Georgia;

 

3. Considers the sentencing and arrest of Nika Gvaramia as an example of violation of free media and employing selective justice to silence one’s prominent critic; reminds that Nika Gvaramia led two very TV stations, Rustavi 2 and Mrtavi TV, that were very critical of the authorities; considers that silencing critics of the authorities via judicial procedure, which in Georgia is not considered independent, is not in line with the letter and spirit of Georgia’s stated Euro-Atlantic aspirations and commitments; calls on the immediate release of Nika Gvaramia;

 

4. Underlines that the prosecution of Nika Gvaramia, but also other media managers, calls into question Georgia’s commitment to the rule-of-law, as well as undermines the public’s confidence in the police, prosecution, the courts and the government itself; reiterates that the case yet again reminds of the importance of an independent and impartial judiciary in Georgia;

 

5. Calls on the EU Member States to consider that the founder of the Georgian Dream oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvilli for undermining the democratic political system of the country as well as judges and prosecutors, who are eager to deploy selective justice compromising their oath to protect the law, should be subject to targeted personal sanctions;

 

6. Calls on the Georgian authorities to release former president Mikhail Saakashvili from prison on humanitarian grounds in order to allow him to undergo proper medical treatment abroad;

 

7. Expresses concern at the deep political polarisation in Georgia, and notes that all political forces, in particular the authorities, have the responsibility to avoid divisive public discourse;

 

8. Deplores the personal attacks on Members of the European Parliament involved in cooperation with Georgia by senior leaders of the Georgian Dream; considers them as unnecessary, unhelpful and damaging to the relations with the European Parliament and the European Union; highlights that this can be of particular negative effect on the ongoing assessment of the EU membership application submitted by Georgia by the European Commission;

 

9. Welcomes the signing of the Jean Monnet Dialogue between the European Parliament and the Georgian Parliament, notes the delay in implementing the JMD and calls on the Georgian Parliament to start the process as soon as possible

 

10. Calls on all political forces to return to and abide by the 19 April Agreement which continues to offer the best way towards building a stronger democracy and rule of law in Georgia and its European perspective;

 

11. Reiterates its steadfast support for the European aspirations of the Georgian people; calls on the European institutions to work towards granting EU candidate status to Georgia, in line with article 49 of the Treaty of the European Union and on the basis of merit and in light of this resolution;

 

12. Instructs its President  to forward this resolution to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the President, Government and Parliament of Georgia.