The European Democracy Youth Network (EDYN) expresses great concern over the alarming authoritarian shift in Georgia. Since the adoption of the “foreign agent law,” followed by dozens of repressive laws used for political persecution and arrests, Georgia has entered a period of mass repression and democratic collapse.
Following the fraudulent October 2024 elections, the ruling party has turned the disputed parliament into a one-party chamber by revoking opposition mandates. EDYN unequivocally condemns the political persecution and imprisonment — over 67 political prisoners, including all major opposition leaders, youth, students, journalists, artists, and peaceful protesters, remain jailed under fabricated charges. Citizens are fined and arrested for joining protests or even for social media posts. Fines have increased tenfold; over 300 peaceful demonstrators have been severely beaten and robbed in detention.
Despite this, the People of Georgia protest in Tbilisi streets and regions, resisting for over 215 days, demanding:
- Restoration of democracy and Euro-Atlantic integration
- Immediate release of all political prisoners
- New free and fair parliamentary elections
The government has responded with violence and more repressions, while aligning closer to Russia, Iran, and China and officially halting EU integration until 2028.
Georgia now has more political prisoners per capita than Russia. This is not just a Georgian crisis — it’s a European and global security issue, as a Black Sea region country.
We urge the international community — the EU institutions, EU MEPs, European Council, US State Department, UK Government, OSCE, Council of Europe, member states, and democracy-supporting foundations — to act with urgency and increase pressure to resolve:
- Demand the immediate release of all political prisoners in Georgia
- Impose targeted financial sanctions and visa bans on GD officials and MPs responsible for gross human rights violations, passing repressive laws, and hijacking Georgia’s democratic path
- Support the MEGOBAR Act and similar U.S. legislation, ensuring it becomes law
- Isolate diplomatically the disputed Georgian Parliament and deny legitimacy to its one-party structure by any means
- Increase funding for independent media, CSOs, legal aid, and resistance platforms
- Push for new, internationally monitored, free and fair elections
- Publicly support Georgia’s pro-democracy youth, activists, and civil society
- Contact your MEPs, speak up, and join thematic events
Now, only fast, bold, coordinated, and concrete action can save Georgia’s democracy and keep it as a reliable, secure partner in the region. Failure to act decisively will:
- Strengthen authoritarian regimes
- Weaken credibility in democracy
- Threaten the security of the Caucasus, Black Sea region, and Europe as a whole
EDYN stands with the Georgian people, EDYN Georgia members, and alumni, who continue to protest and resist with extraordinary courage. EDYN calls on all democratic partners to speak up for the Georgian people’s resistance — stand with them with words and actions!
#StandWithGeorgia #FreePoliticalPrisoners #YouthforDemocracy #WeAreEDYN
Founded in December 2018, the European Democracy Youth Network (EDYN) supports young pro-democracy activists, politicians, and journalists from across the political and ideological spectrum, ages 18 to 35, in 23 countries. EDYN focuses on promoting democratic processes, reducing polarization, and empowering more than 820 young leaders as part of the network across Europe.
