35 Amendments of Ramona STRUGARIU related to 2021/2236(INI)
Amendment 9 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 10
Citation 10
— having regard to the urgent opinion of the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission of 26 August 2022 on the Draft Law on the Amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code adopted by the Parliament of Georgia on 7 June 2022, its opinion of 20 June 2022 on the December 2021 amendments to the organic law on common courts, its urgent opinion of 2 July 2021 on the amendments to the organic law on common courts, its urgent joint opinion of 5 July 2022 on the revised draft amendments to the election code, its opinion of 8 October 2020 on the draft organic law amending the organic law on common courts and its urgent opinion of 16 April 2019 on the selection and appointment of Supreme Court judges,
Amendment 27 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas the freedom of media in Georgia has worsened, ranking 89th among 180 countries in 2022 World Press Freedom Index, as opposed to ranking 60th in 2021;
Amendment 32 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Recital D b (new)
Db. whereas the Russian Federation continues the illegal occupation of the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia in blatant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia;
Amendment 33 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D c (new)
Recital D c (new)
Amendment 51 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the Georgian authorities to uphold the highest standards of democracy, the rule of law and fundamental freedoms and to determinedly pursue the priorities for reform set out in the Commission’s opinion in order to unambiguously demonstrate their political determination to implement the nation’s ambitious European aspirations, as expressed by the application for EU membership that Georgia submitted on 3 March 2022; calls on the Georgian authorities to initiate and lead the work on these priorities in an inclusive manner before the Commission reports on their implementation by the end of 2022; calls on all Georgian political forces to constructively participate in and contribute to these efforts; calls on the Georgian authorities to take into account the Plan of Action "12 steps towards the EU candidacy" elaborated by the civil society organisations and to actively and openly engage CSOs in implementing the key priorities set forward by the EU Commission; stresses that Georgia’s bid for accession to the EU will continue to be assessed based on its own merits and its success in meeting the Copenhagen criteria for EU membership;
Amendment 58 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Highlights the important role and full involvement of Georgian civil society in monitoring and supporting democratic reforms; calls for its transparent involvement and active participation in the working groups setup to implement the key priorities identified by the Commission;
Amendment 61 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Encourages Georgia to continue its enhanced cooperation with Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova as the ‘Associated Trio’, as well as regional cooperation in the South Caucasus under the EU's Eastern Partnership initiative;
Amendment 77 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Reiterates its steadfast support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders; calls for the continuation of efforts to achieve a negotiated peaceful resolution of the conflict, including through the Geneva International Discussions, the ongoing activities of the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia and the efforts of the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the Crisis in Georgia; notes with concerncondemns Russia's continued military presence on Georgia’s territory, the continuation of illegal ‘borderisation’ activities in the occupied regions of Georgia, unlawful detentions of the local population, severe restrictions on rights related to freedom of movement, education and the discrimination against ethnic Georgians in Gali and Akhalgori districts; calls on the Council to extend the mandate of EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia beyond 14 December 2022 and to provide it with a budget that is commensurate with its tasks to stabilise and normalise the situation and build confidence between the parties in the conflict in an increasingly tense security environment;
Amendment 83 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Expresses concern regarding Georgia´s decreasing alignment rate with relevant EU High Representative statements on behalf of the EU and Council Decisions and calls for Georgia to reverse this trend;
Amendment 94 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Regrets that deep polarisation continues to be the defining feature of Georgia’s political environment; calls on all political stakeholders to unite their forces around the key goal of Georgia’s EU membership through the implementation of ambitious democratic, judicial and anti- corruption reforms; reiterates that the core provisions of the EU-brokered agreement of 19 April 2021 continue to present a pathway towards strengthening democracy and the rule of law in Georgia; regrets the decision of the governing Georgian Dream party to withdraw from this agreement; calls on the government to return to the agreement and start its implementation immediately as it presents a way forward towards depolarisation and implementing reforms;
Amendment 95 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Regrets that deep polarisation continues to be the defining feature of Georgia’s political environment; calls on all political stakeholders to unite their forces around the key goal of Georgia’s EU membership through the implementation of ambitious democratic, judicial and anti- corruption reforms; reiterates that the core provisions of the EU-brokered agreement of 19 April 2021 continue to present a pathway towards strengthening democracy and the rule of law in Georgia, and invites Georgia’s ruling party and the opposition to recommit to full implementation of 19 April Agreement;
Amendment 98 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls on the Georgian authorities to follow European Commission's recommendation and ensure credible involvement of civil society in decision- making processes at all levels;
Amendment 103 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Is concerned over refusal by the ruling party to include the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) to the electoral reforms working group; expresses its full confidence in, and appreciation of, ISFED’s work in monitoring and reporting on election processes in Georgia;
Amendment 108 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Underlines the need to eliminate the excessive influence of vested interests, including oligarchsverarching control of the government by oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, in economic, political and public life as one of the priorities identified by the Commission to be addressed before Georgia is granted candidate status;
Amendment 113 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Calls on the Georgian authorities to put an end to politically motivated persecution of political opponents; notes that the decision of the court to convict the leaders of Lelo for Georgia party, Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze, and using the court’s verdict to strip Japaridze of his parliamentary mandate is a clear demonstration of a case of politicized justice;
Amendment 115 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Underlines Georgia’s role as a reliable security partner of the EU through its significant contributions to EU CSDP operations;
Amendment 116 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8b. Reiterates its call on the Georgian authorities to release former President Mikhail Saakashvili from prison on humanitarian grounds so that he can receive proper medical treatment abroad;
Amendment 117 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8b. Regrets that the reform of the judiciary has stalled and even regressed in key areas, while the human rights situation has deteriorated;
Amendment 124 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Calls on the Georgian authorities to strengthen the independence of its Anti-Corruption Agency, in particular to rigorously address high-level corruption cases, and to provide it with adequate means and resources to fully exercise its mandate;
Amendment 126 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Underlines the importance of further strengthening administrative capacity at central and local government level;
Amendment 127 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10b. Regrets that the number of organised crime convictions remains relatively low compared to the estimated value of the criminal market;
Amendment 128 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Calls on the Georgian authorities to effectively investigate the massive illegal wiretapping revealed in September 2021; is concerned about the amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code of Georgia that increase the number of crimes for which covert investigative actions are permitted and the duration of these actions, which were adopted by the Georgian Parliament on 7 June 2022 and vetoed by the President on 22 June 2022; calls on the Parliament of Georgia to ask the Venice Commission to isGeorgian authorities to follow recommendations of the Venice Commission issued on 26 August 2022, in particular to ensure an opin transparent, rational and to implement its recommendationsinclusive legislative process by including the relevant stakeholders and civil society;
Amendment 132 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Expresses its concern over the significant deterioration in recent years of the situation of media and the safety of journalists in Georgia; condemns the increasing number of cases of intimidation, threats, and violence against and persecution of journalists, including an increasing number of criminal investigations against media workers and owners; calls on Georgia to ensure media freedom, which entails editorial independence, transparent media ownership, and pluralistic, impartial and non-discriminatory coverage of political views in programming by private and in particular public broadcasters, and especially during electoral campaign periods, as well as unhindered access to information that is supposed to be publicly available and to ensure the safety, protection and empowerment of journalists and other media professionals; calls on all the representatives of the Georgian authorities to refrain from using aggressive rhetoric and discriminatory treatment towards media representatives in Georgia and to advocate for a tolerant approach respectful of human rights in their public statements;
Amendment 133 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Expresses its concerns about the significant deterioration of the media situation and the safety of journalists in Georgia in recent years, despite Georgia's strong legal framework for freedom of expression and media freedom; calls on Georgia to ensure freedom of the media, which should include editorial independence, transparency of media ownership and pluralistic, impartial and non-discriminatory coverage of political views in the programmes of private and, in particular, public broadcasters, including during election campaigns; calls on Georgia to ensure unhindered access to information that is supposed to be available to the public, and to ensure the safety, protection and empowerment of journalists and other media professionals;
Amendment 136 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Reiterates its concern about the serious deterioration of the media situation and the safety of journalists in Georgia; calls on the Georgian authorities to ensure media freedom and a safe working environment for media workers, to put an end to the politically motivated persecution of critical media outlets and their owners, and reiterates its calls for a review of the conviction of Nika Gvaramia;
Amendment 140 #
11b. Calls on the Parliament of Georgia to ensure the harmonization of Georgian media laws with the EU Directive on Audiovisual Media Services based on the wide consensus, particularly in the context of an effective co-regulation system, suggested by CSOs and journalists’ unions, which assert that ethical disputes should be resolved by a special professional council, rather than by the Georgian National Communications Commission, the role of which should not exceed its current legal mandate;
Amendment 143 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. Reminds that Georgia is heavily exposed to Russian disinformation campaigns; recalls that the best way to combat these campaigns is to protect the pluralism and independence of the press;
Amendment 144 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. Calls on the Georgian authorities to review the ongoing criminal cases against media owners or close family members of media outlets critical of the government;
Amendment 147 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 c (new)
Paragraph 11 c (new)
11c. Stresses the importance of continuous efforts to increase Georgian society's resistance to Russian propaganda and disinformation and to attempts to influence Georgian politics and public opinion;
Amendment 152 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Condemns the violence committed against peaceful participants of the Tbilisi Pride march on 5-6 July 2021 and the journalists covering the event; strongly denounces the lack of diligent investigations into or prosecutions of those responsible for organising the violence; notes that six perpetrators of the violence were sentenced to a maximum of five years in prison in April 2022; calls on the authorities to ensure the protection of the human rights of vulnerable groups, such as women, the LGBTQI+ community and ethnic minorities; Public Prosecutor’s Office to reopen an impartial, effective, and timely investigation into the organisers and perpetrators of the violence against peaceful participants and media workers on July 5-6, 2021, in the light of the overwhelming amount of evidence gathered by the media, civil society and the Ombudsman; calls on the authorities to ensure the protection of the human rights of vulnerable groups, such as women, the LGBTQI+ community and ethnic minorities; notes that the events planned for the Tbilisi Pride 2022 took place indoors and that the police reacted in time to prevent interference and violence by groups opposing the Pride events;
Amendment 164 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Reiterates the importance of independent oversight of Georgia’s state institutions; regrets, in this respect, the dismantling of State Inspector’s Service against ODIHR recommendations; highlights the positive role of the public defender of Georgia in protecting human rights, promoting good governance and strengthening the rule of law; condemns the attempts to undermine the independence of the Public Defender of Georgia and to cast doubts over the integrity of the office and its staff; commends Nino Lomjaria, the Public Defender of Georgia, for her actions in safeguarding the freedom of media, despite regular attacks by the government; calls for an inclusive process regarding the selection of the new Public Defender;
Amendment 171 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Expresses concern regarding the number of Georgian asylum seekers in the EU and calls on the Georgian authorities to increase cooperation with their European partners and take further measures to address this issue;
Amendment 174 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
Paragraph 13 b (new)
13b. Calls on the Georgian authorities to release former president Mikhail Saakashvili, whose health has severely deteriorated since he was arrested in October 2021 on his return from exile, from prison on humanitarian grounds;
Amendment 182 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Calls on the Georgian government to step up its efforts to increase and sustain socio-economic development in order to ensure a rising level of income and regional development;
Amendment 184 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)
Paragraph 14 b (new)
14b. Stresses the importance for Georgia to align to the EU sanctions imposed on Russia as a result of its unprovoked and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine; notes the influx of Russian citizens to Georgia since the start of the war, including registration of some 7,500 Russian companies, and urges the Georgian authorities to take precautionary measures to ensure that these entities are not able to circumvent the sanctions and support the criminal Putin regime;