The McCain Institute at Arizona State University organized an assessment mission to Tbilisi, Georgia, December 9-13, to meet with a diverse cross-section of Georgian society. The group sought to learn more about how Georgians are dealing with the stress caused by the October 26 parliamentary elections.

“The mission included former diplomats, journalists, and representatives from civil society from Europe and the US. The delegation met with representatives from political parties, civil society, media, election observer groups, regional civic leaders and media, minority communities, foreign policy and international organizations, embassies, the business sector, the artistic and cultural sector, and the Central Election Commission. The delegation requested but did not succeed in securing meetings with Georgian Dream party (GD) representatives and President Salome Zourabichvili.

The delegation believes that it is urgent that the international community stand behind the Georgian people with concrete measures. The Department of State has announced new travel restrictions. Financial sanctions on Bidzina Ivanishvili and GD leaders and their families, and security force officials responsible for authoritarian measures and torture, are appropriate. The U.S. and EU should work in tandem, and several European countries have put in place travel bans of their own. Such actions will demonstrate that no one is untouchable, and they could create divisions within GD ranks. They will also be a shot in the arm for the protestors who are taking personal risks and feel alone.

It is not just sanctions that are needed. The delegation believes it is important for the international community not to recognize this government as legitimate. In our view, the elections themselves were sufficiently flawed as to cast doubt on the validity of the result. However, the government’s repressive actions since then also call into question its moral legitimacy”, - reads the statement of McCain Institute.