SP(2007)6527

Results of vote in Parliament

The European Parliament adopted a resolution on Georgia expressing its deep concern at recent developments, with the violent police crackdown on peaceful demonstrations, the closing down of independent media outlets and the declaration of a state of emergency for 15 days as the latest escalations. It recalled that on 2 November 2007 the opposition forces mustered the largest crowd seen since the Rose Revolution of 2003. Opposition rallies erupted in violence when police security forces used excessive force to break up demonstrations, using water cannons, rubber bullets and tear gas, leaving up to five hundred protesters injured, including the Georgian Ombudsman, Mr Sozar Subari. President Mikhail Saakashvili declared a 15-day state of emergency in Tbilisi, since lifted on 16 November 2007, which government officials claim was necessary to restore immediate law and order. President Saakashvili laid responsibility for the events which took place in Tbilisi at the door of Russia's Federal Security Service, alleging that he had had advance information that there was a plot to overthrow the Georgian Government by the end of the year, but providing no evidence for his statement.

Parliament went on to point out that on 7 November 2007, two opposition TV channels, Imedi and Caucasia, were taken off the air. Imedi television and radio were stormed by armed members of security agencies wearing masks before the announcement of the state of emergency and without prior notification, with part of the station's broadcasting equipment destroyed. In a conciliatory move, on 8 November 2007 President Saakashvili proposed early presidential elections for 5 January 2008, to be coupled with a plebiscite on the date of the next parliamentary elections.

Members called on the Georgian authorities to respect the principles of freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and freedom of the media. It called on all parties to show openness and restraint, tone down statements and engage in a constructive and fruitful dialogue aimed at supporting and consolidating Georgia's fragile democratic institutions. The Council, the High Representative for CFSP and the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus were asked make every effort to facilitate the dialogue between the parties, defuse tension and contribute to restoring mutual confidence.

The Georgian authorities were called upon to carry out a thorough, impartial and independent investigation into the serious violations of human rights and freedom of the media, notably the allegations of excessive use of force by law enforcement officials, in order to identify all those responsible, bring them to trial and apply the penal and/or administrative sanctions provided for by law. Parliament impressed on the authorities the concern felt by the international community at the recent events in Georgia, which run counter to Euro-Atlantic values, and reminded Georgia that democracy, human rights and the rule of law are prerequisites for Euro-Atlantic integration.

It called upon the Council and the Commission, the EU Member States, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the Council of Europe, NATO and the United States to become more active in highlighting political grievances and shortcomings in and around Georgia, including in the implementation of the ENP Action Plan. It felt that a more open international debate could strengthen pluralistic public discourse and democratic development in Georgia.

The Georgian authorities were called on to ensure free and fair elections in full accordance with international standards. Parliament asked the Government to respect the division of powers in the Georgian political system, to refrain from using "administrative resources" during the election campaign and to guarantee freedom of expression to all candidates. It welcomed the call of the Georgian authorities for international observers to monitor the elections, and called for a European Parliament observation mission to be sent to the forthcoming presidential elections.

The Georgian authorities must ensure that all the media work objectively and in accordance with international journalistic standards and that all parties and candidates are guaranteed fair and balanced access to both public and private media. Parliament demeanded that the Imedi TV and Radio Company be allowed to resume broadcasting without further delay, and called upon them to ensure that this company is reimbursed and compensated for the damage to its outlets and the destruction of its equipment.

It called upon all political forces in Georgia to collaborate in drafting a law to regulate audiovisual activity in order to ensure, with the assistance of European experts, that existing regulations which guarantee freedom of expression and fair public debate are further improved and harmonised with European principles. All Georgian political forces, together with civil society, were encouraged to engage in a debate about the separation of powers in the political system which could lead to more efficient scrutiny of the actions of the executive and pluralisation of the public debate on many crucial issues, ranging from the social implications of economic reform and the "Russian factor" in Georgian domestic politics to different approaches to frozen conflicts.

Parliament noted with concern the allegations of Russian intelligence involvement in the political process in Georgia and underlined the need for increased transparency in political life, in particular as regards party funding, media access and internal party democracy. These allegations must be proved in accordance with domestic law and international practice.

It called on the Council and the Commission to pursue a more decisive EU policy towards its Eastern neighbourhood, which should not reject cooperation with Russia, but on the contrary offer it wherever possible. At the same time, however, the EU must adopt a more resolute stance on crucial issues in the region and become more deeply involved, despite Russia's current negative attitude towards the EU's role in their common neighbourhood. In the end, it is up to the Russian authorities to understand that it is not so much geopolitical rivalry with the EU that diminishes Russian influence in its neighbourhood, but Russia's deplorable approach to some of its neighbours.

Lastly, Parliament reiterated its commitment to Georgia's territorial integrity and called on the Council and the Commission to make further efforts in support of the quest for a peaceful negotiated settlement of the South Ossetia and Abkhazia conflicts.

T6-0572/2007

B6-0481/2007

B6-0482/2007

B6-0485/2007

B6-0487/2007

B6-0492/2007

B6-0493/2007

RC-B6-0481/2007

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The House held a debate, following on the Council and Commission statements, on the situation in Georgia.

A motion for a resolution winding up this debate was due to be put to the vote on 29 Novembre 2007.

Debate in Parliament