We, the undersigned Georgian civil society organizations, respond to the proceedings before the Constitutional Court of Georgia on lawsuits filed by Georgian Dream representatives seeking to ban five major opposition parties.[1] We view this move as a direct continuation of the ruling party’s undemocratic and repressive agenda, marking an alarming, unprecedented escalation in the country’s slide toward autocracy. The lawsuit is entirely baseless and runs counter to both the Constitution of Georgia and the core standards set by the European Court of Human Rights and the Venice Commission.

In reality, the plaintiffs’ only "evidence" rests on the legally invalid findings of an ad hoc parliamentary commission of inquiry that was established in blatant breach of the Constitution and parliamentary procedure. Legitimate democratic practices, such as holding the government to account, boycotting parliamentary sessions, cross-party cooperation, peaceful assembly, and appealing to international partners, are disingenuously framed as attempts to overthrow the constitutional order.

These proceedings are unfolding amid systemic attacks on political opponents, independent media, and civil society, following unconstitutional legislative changes that broadly stripped party-affiliated individuals of their political rights. The sheer scale of this crackdown is evidenced by the fact that several opposition leaders are currently behind bars, while others face politically motivated criminal charges. According to official Central Election Commission results, these targeted parties secured 784,830 votes in the 2024 parliamentary elections - nearly 38% of the electorate. Banning them effectively strips hundreds of thousands of citizens of their voice and right to political representation.

This move will deal a fatal blow to the public’s already fragile faith in elections, render future ballots meaningless, extinguish any prospect of a peaceful, democratic transition of power, effectively outlaw political activity, and formalize one-party dictatorship.

We call upon:

• Each judge of the Constitutional Court of Georgia: To review the lawsuits independently and impartially, in strict adherence to the Constitution of Georgia and established international human rights standards. The Court must recognize the indispensable value of political pluralism, democratic participation, and the free will of voters, ensuring any judgment rests on sound, compelling legal grounds.
  
  
• The citizens of Georgia: This push to outlaw opposition parties is not just an assault on individual politicians or parties; it is a direct attack on your constitutional right to elect and peacefully change your government. Regardless of political leaning, the dismantling of multiparty democracy disenfranchises every citizen, silences dissent, and closes off public governance. We urge you to reject the institutionalization of one-party rule and stand together to defend our vote, our constitutional order, and Georgia’s democratic, European future.
  
  
• The international community, Georgia’s foreign friends and partner countries, and relevant international organizations: To closely follow the Constitutional Court proceedings and their grave implications for political pluralism, human rights, and the wider democratic landscape in Georgia.

Signatory Organizations:

• International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED)
• Civil Society Foundation
• Georgia’s Future Academy
• Social Justice Center
• Transparency International Georgia
• Rights Georgia
• Democracy Research Institute (DRI)
• Europe Foundation
• Sapari
• Europe-Georgia Institute (EGI)
• Eastern European Centre for Multiparty Democracy (EECMD)
• Partnership for Human Rights (PHR)
• Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies (Rondeli Foundation)
• Tbilisi Pride
• Human Rights Center (HRC)
• Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI)
• Women's Initiatives Supporting Group (WISG)
• Georgian Young Lawyers' Association (GYLA)
• Georgian Center for Psychosocial and Medical Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (GCRT)