Statement by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe on the issue of banning opposition parties

Call from the Secretary General of the Council of Europe

Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset issued a statement in which he calls on Georgia's ruling majority to protect political pluralism and maintain space for the political opposition. According to Berset, political pluralism is an essential condition for a healthy democracy and part of the obligations of Georgia as a member of the Council of Europe. Interpressnews+6

Court proceedings and European standards

The statement relates to the proceedings initiated in the Constitutional Court of Georgia based on an application by 88 parliamentarians of the ruling majority, which requests the ban of five opposition parties. Alain Berset emphasizes that the practice of the European Court of Human Rights requires convincing justification for the dissolution of a political party, which is subject to strict requirements of necessity and proportionality. Interpressnews+5

According to the Secretary General's statement, a ruling party that seeks to remove democratic checks on power weakens the country it serves. Berset noted that the Council of Europe will closely monitor developments and continue the dialogue with Georgia to protect the Convention. Interpressnews+1