Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministerial Statement

Georgia

03 December 2024 · 11 other contributors

Opened by Catherine West Lab Hornsey and Friern Barnet

Democracy & ElectionsForeign Affairs

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Catherine West raised concerns about georgia in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • Minister Catherine West highlighted concerns raised by the OSCE report regarding breaches of voter secrecy and procedural inconsistencies in Georgia's recent elections.
  • The minister noted that these issues have negatively impacted public trust and damaged Georgia's international reputation.
  • Concerns were raised about recent anti-western rhetoric and laws in Georgia that undermine democratic norms and freedoms.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Government Statement

Catherine West

Following the elections in Georgia on 26 October, Minister Catherine West highlighted concerns raised by the OSCE report regarding breaches of voter secrecy, procedural inconsistencies, intimidation, and negative impacts on public trust. These issues have damaged Georgia's international reputation and moved it away from European values. The UK supports Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations but is concerned about recent anti-western rhetoric and laws that undermine democratic norms and freedoms. There are reports of excessive police force against protesters, leading to a statement condemning such actions by the Minister for Europe, North America and the Overseas Territories. The UK has decided to review relations with the Georgian Government, including freezing annual Wardrop strategic dialogue until positive changes are observed.

Other contributors (11)
  • Stephen Gethins SNP Arbroath and Broughty Ferry

    Question

    Expressed concern over the election irregularities, urged discussions with European partners on Georgia’s EU accession, emphasised protecting rule of law and freedom to protest, asked about maintaining sanctions against Russia regardless of Tbilisi's administration.

    Minister reply

    Minister Catherine West thanked Gethins for his points. She highlighted the importance of press and protest freedoms in Georgia and mentioned that discussions with European partners are ongoing regarding election irregularities and support for democratic processes.

  • Emily Thornberry Lab Islington South and Finsbury

    Question

    Asked if the UK agrees with the European Parliament's motion declaring Georgian elections neither free nor fair, calling for a rerun.

    Minister reply

    Minister Catherine West stated that while the UK is closely monitoring the situation, it has not called for a rerun of the election but encourages thorough investigation into irregularities and peaceful demonstrations.

  • Wendy Morton Con Aldridge-Brownhills

    Question

    Expresses concern over the deteriorating political situation in Georgia, urging for restraint and peaceful resolution. Asks the Minister to confirm she has communicated with Georgian counterparts demanding a de-escalation of rhetoric and tensions. Also requests a plan to counteract attempts to sow division within Europe.

    Minister reply

    Affirms support for Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations and commitment to investigate irregularities in elections. Acknowledges the importance of soft power and efforts are being made to rebuild reputation through collaboration with organisations such as the British Council.

  • Joe Powell Lab Kensington and Bayswater

    Question

    Raises concerns about violent suppression of protests and journalists. Inquires if sanctions or financial restrictions will be considered against Georgian officials linked to the UK.

    Minister reply

    Promises to investigate ties between Georgia and the UK, but does not confirm specific future actions on sanctions; such arrangements are kept confidential until an announcement is made.

  • Calum Miller Lib Dem Bicester and Woodstock

    Question

    Critiques suspension of EU accession process by Georgian Government. Asks what further steps the UK can take to address issues related to political rights, freedom of protest and potential formal suspension of strategic partnership.

    Minister reply

    Explains that due to concerns over democratic backsliding and negative trajectory towards Euro-Atlantic goals, the Wardrop dialogue has been frozen in June. Emphasises a wait-and-watch approach but does not preclude further actions if necessary.

  • John Whittingdale Con Maldon

    Question

    Points to reports of electoral irregularities and interference, questions how the UK can support democratic nations facing Russian influence.

    Minister reply

    Acknowledges Georgian Government's lack of progress towards EU membership and recent laws designating NGOs as foreign agents. States that the mission in Tbilisi is closely monitoring developments.

  • David Chadwick Lib Dem Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe

    Question

    Inquires about UK conversations with Georgian counterparts to ensure respect for assembly rights and protest freedoms.

    Minister reply

    Affirms importance of restraint in response to protests and calls on the Government of Georgia to protect civil society's right to assemble peacefully.

  • Brendan O'Hara SNP Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber

    Question

    Asks why UK has not called for re-run elections as European Parliament did. Requests sharing of evidence on electoral irregularities and details on representations made to Georgian ambassador.

    Minister reply

    States support for OSCE Office’s preliminary report, which highlights irregularities but awaits completion of investigation before further action; calls for implementation of recommendations from the monitoring mission.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Question

    I thank the Minister again for her answers. Freedom, liberty and democracy are vital for Georgia to have an unfettered, stable Government, and so that people can express themselves without violence. It is clear that Russia has negatively influenced the election and the Government. How can our Government work in tandem with those who want democracy, as every Georgian citizen wants and deserves? Does the British embassy in Tbilisi have enough staff and resources to respond to all the British citizens in Tbilisi? What advice is given to them—do they stay; what should they do?

    Minister reply

    I thank the hon. Member for his ongoing commitment to freedom and peaceful relations and his interest in keeping the UK’s reputation for supporting democracies so alive in this House. Our mission in Tbilisi will be watching or reading this urgent question, including his concerns and questions. It is so important to support Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations, in line with the strong will of the Georgian people over the past few years, particularly in the light of the conflict in Ukraine, which is in its neighbourhood. That is why we have been such a strong supporter of democratic reforms over many years, working with Parliament, civil society, independent media and the Government to support reforms and Georgia’s continued progress towards membership of the Euro-Atlantic community. The mission in Tbilisi is well resourced. We have excellent professionals there, working very closely to understand the exact investigation into the irregularities of the election, trying to see what is happening with the formation of the new Government post-election, calling for restraint so that those battles on the squares do not turn into any form of police brutality, but retain that vision of freedom and democracy.

  • Pippa Heylings Lib Dem South Cambridgeshire

    Question

    I have met young Georgians here in the UK who are watching with desperation, fear and depression as legislation on foreign influence restricts their rights, the media and organisations dealing with all sorts of development rights. They are also seeing their colleagues brutally repressed on the streets as they try to have freedom of association and to keep what is enshrined in their constitution—movement towards EU accession—as it is being ripped away from them. What can the Minister say to those young people? Will she and the ambassador be open to meet them? They are in a terrible state of anxiety right now.

    Minister reply

    I thank the hon. Lady for her concern. I thank her, too, for her impassioned plea for peaceful expression of political views and for the UK to play its role in supporting not only that vision for freedom, but a stable assessment following the election, acting on the information and investigation material that have come forward from the report. Of course we supported the election observers, so we need to listen to what they say as a result of those investigations. Let me also thank the hon. Lady for her condemnation of the brutal and excessive force used against protesters and journalists. I will certainly pass on her exhortation to be on the side of those with vision and those who wish to freely express their point of view.

Shadow Comment

Stephen Gethins

Shadow Minister Stephen Gethins thanked the Minister for her statement. He acknowledged Georgia's long history of close ties with the UK, highlighting concerns over recent destabilisation following the elections due to Russian occupation in parts of Georgian territory. He urged discussions with European partners on Georgia’s EU accession and emphasised the need to protect rule of law, freedom of media, and protest rights. Gethins also asked about ensuring that Georgia maintains sanctions against Russia regardless of its administration.

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