We, the undersigned political parties call on all relevant international organizations and democratic world to raise voice against the attacks on freedom of speech and media pluralism in Georgia. Rustavi 2, the only major, pro-Western broadcasting company critical of Georgian Government is at the verge of takeover by Bidzina Ivanishvili, de facto ruler of the country. Rustavi 2 was the last major media outlet outside the control of former Prime Minister Ivanishvili and his Georgian Dream party.

On 2 March, against the backdrop of civil protest the Supreme Court of Georgia ruled behind the closed doors to attribute Rustavi 2 TV company ownership to Kibar Khalvashi, a brother of the Georgian Dream MP and a proxy of Ivanishvili. By exerting his control on Rustavi 2, Ivanishvili will gain overwhelming control of political and public life.

Notably, the decision of the Supreme Court, condemned by most credible international and Georgian civil society organizations, was made a day after the EU granted visa liberalization to Georgia. The decision is a major blow to judicial independence and runs contrary to the obligations taken by Georgian Government in its association agreement with the EU.

All three instances of judicial proceedings failed to meet the requirements of an independent inquiry and due process and have been marred with aggressive interference of the Government. It is remarkable that first instance court literally spelled out that Rustavi 2’s editorial policy was a major factor in judicial decision, instead of stipulating sound legal rationale.

Democracy in our country is in peril as the informal ruler Bidzina Ivanishvili and his Georgian Dream party have gained absolute control over executive and legislative branches and are destroying state institutions - including presidential office, while undermining independence of judiciary, including the Constitutional Court. All this might irreversibly harm Georgia’s democratic path and Euro-Atlantic integration.

We call on the European Parliament, the European Union, the Council of Europe and the OSCE to raise their voices regarding these alarming developments.

We believe that international engagement will be decisive for sustaining freedom of media, independence of judiciary and democratic development of Georgia.

United National Movement           Movement for Freedom-European Georgia,

Free Democrats                                   Georgian Labour Party                                 

Civil Alliance for Liberty                             Political party “Reformers”

Political Movement “State for People”              National-Democratic Party of Georgia 

European Democrats of Georgia                           New  Rights

New Unity for Georgia                                     Civil Platform - New Georgia

Christian-Conservative Party of Georgia               New Political center "Girchi"

Democratic Party opf Georgia