The Council of the European Union has called on Georgia to release all individuals “unjustly detained,” repeal what it described as repressive legislation, and immediately meet the criteria for visa liberalization.
The appeal is contained in the EU enlargement conclusions published on Dec. 16 by the Danish presidency of the Council. The document was supported by 26 of the EU’s 27 member states, with Hungary opposing the conclusions.
The council reaffirmed its support for the overwhelming majority of Georgia’s population in their aspiration toward a European future, while stating that the actions of the Georgian authorities do not meet the expectations placed on an EU candidate country.
The conclusions also condemn the Georgian government’s dissemination of disinformation and anti-EU narratives, urging an end to the practice.
EU says criticism targets Georgian authorities, not citizens
Georgia was granted EU candidate status in December 2023, but its accession process has since stalled amid EU concerns over democratic backsliding.
Brussels has repeatedly criticized the ruling Georgian Dream party for adopting legislation incompatible with EU standards, curbing media freedom, and applying pressure on opposition figures and civil society.
Throughout 2024, EU institutions warned that Georgia was failing to meet the political and legal benchmarks required of a candidate country. The situation deteriorated further after the adoption of laws widely labeled by critics as “repressive,” leading the EU to effectively freeze Georgia’s accession process.
EU officials said their criticism is directed at the government’s actions, not at the Georgian people, and have reaffirmed support for Georgia’s European aspirations.
Georgia currently holds more than 70 individuals widely regarded as political prisoners, including opposition politicians, civil society activists, and journalists.
Human rights groups and independent monitors say many were detained on charges critics describe as politically motivated, often following the contested October. 2024 parliamentary elections and the subsequent political crisis.
Georgian authorities reject the label of “political prisoner,” but international observers have repeatedly called for their release as part of broader democratic reforms.