The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP

The Prime Minister

10 Downing Street

London

SW1A 0AA

Dear Prime Minister,

We, the undersigned representatives of the Georgian community in the United Kingdom (UK), are deeply troubled by the recent events unfolding in Georgia and the conduct of the Georgian government.

On 17 April 2024, the Georgian Parliament unanimously passed the so-called ‘transparency of foreign influence’ law at its first reading. Despite mass protests and criticism from the President of Georgia who called the law ‘sabotage of the country’s European path’, the law was supported by 83 votes in favour and none against. This legislation mandates that organisations receiving over 20% of their funding from abroad must register as ‘organisations pursuing the interests of a foreign power’ and publicly label themselves as such. These non-governmental organisations would be subjected to scrutiny, reporting requirements and potential sanctions, including administrative penalties up to GEL 25,000.

This law law would seriously restrict freedom of media and civil society organisations’ ability to operate freely, which are foundational principles essential for a functioning democracy. Apart from this draft law, the Georgian Government is introducing a series of pre-election legislative initiatives, including constitutional amendments to fight the ‘LGBT propaganda’, which in itself is highly discriminatory, and the reversal of parliamentary gender quotas. We believe the introduction of this law would betray the aspirations of the large majority of Georgians to live in a democratic society, advance human rights and rule of law reforms, foster cooperation with Euro-Atlantic partners and progress towards EU integration.

In light of these troubling circumstances, we strongly urge the UK Government to take swift and decisive action. While the UK is no longer a member of the European Union, as the UK Ambassador to Georgia Mark Clayton has indicated, ‘the United Kingdom has always positioned itself as a supporter of human rights, democracy and Georgia’s sovereignty.’ Furthermore, the UK has been the leading force against Russia’s attempts to influence policies in the European regions. The introduction of this law seems to be a deliberate attempt to damage Georgia’s international reputation, making it highly dependent on Russia, its historical occupier. Therefore, the supporters of this law should be treated as direct collaborators of the Russian government. Once again, we urgently request the UK Government's involvement in addressing this alarming issue.

Specifically, we urge you to implement a series of sanctions and freeze the UK assets of individuals within the Georgian Government, Parliament, and business community who have demonstrated their active support for the adoption of Russia-sponsored law (the full list of individuals can be found below).

Lastly, we implore you to demonstrate solidarity with the Georgian populace by suspending UK visas for these individuals and their family members. Such decisive actions would send a strong message of support to the people of Georgia and reaffirm the UK's commitment to democratic principles and the rule of law. The UK Government must take a firm stand against those who seek to undermine Georgia's sovereignty and align our nation with Russia's interests.

We trust that you will give our urgent plea the attention it deserves and take concrete steps to support the Georgian people during this critical time. The future of Georgia as a free and democratic nation hangs in the balance, and your support is crucial in this struggle.

Signed,

 

The list of individuals responsible for the introduction of the Russia-sponsored law:

• Bidzina Ivanishvili, the honorary leader of the Georgian Dream party;
• Irakli Kobakhidze, the Prime Minister of Georgia;
• Shalva Papuashvili, the Chairman of the Georgian Parliament;
• Zaza Lominadze, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Davit Matikashvili, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Samvel Manukiani, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Levan Machavariani, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Levan Mgaloblishvili, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Mamuka Mdinaradze, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Irakli Mezurnishvili, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Gogi Meshveliani, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Irakli Medzmariashvili, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Savalan Mirzoevi, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Givi Mikanadze, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Imeda Nikuradze, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Anton Obolashvili, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Beka Odisharia, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Anri Okhanashvili, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Gela Samkharauli, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• NIkoloz Samkharadze, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Viktor Sanikidze, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Davit Songhulashvili, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Giorgi Sosiashvili, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Aleksandre Tabatadze, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Nodar Turdzeladze, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Irakli Kadagishvili, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Levan Karumidze, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Merab Kvaraia, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Salome Kurasbediani, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Aluda Ghudushauri, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Tengiz Sharmanashvili, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Irakli Shatakishvili, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Giorgi Chakvetadze, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Goderdzi Chankseliani, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Ketevan Charkviani, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Vasil Chigogidze, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Giorgi Tsagareishvili, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Bezhan Tsakadze, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Nino Tsilosani, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Khatia Tsilosani, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Greta Tsitsava, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Shota Khabareli, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Giorgi Khakhubia, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Salome Jinjolava, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Giorgi Barvenashvili, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Gia Benashvili, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Rima Beradze, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Maia Bitadze, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Anzor Bolkvadze, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Eliso Bolkvadze, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Maka Bochorishvili, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Elguja Gotsiridze, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Beka Davituliani, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Aleksandre Dalakishvili, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Zaur Dargali, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Isko Daseni, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Zaal Dugladze, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Gocha Enukidze, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Gia Volski, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Irma Zavradashvili, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Irakli Zarkua, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Archil Talakvadze, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Edisher Toloraia, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Rati Ionatamishvili, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Lado Kakhadze, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Giorgi Kakhiani, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Kakha Kakhishvili, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Paata Kvizhinadze, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Baia Kvitsiani, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Irakli Kirtskhalia, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Sumbat Kiureghiani, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Levan Kobiashvili, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Resan Kontselidze, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Mariam Lashkhi, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Dimitri Samkharadze, a Georgian Dream member who voted in favour of the law;
• Davit Kacharava, a People’s Power member who voted in favour of the law;
• Guram Macharashvili, a People’s Power member who voted in favour of the law;
• Sozar Subari, a People’s Power member who voted in favour of the law;
• Eka Sepashvili, a People’s Power member who voted in favour of the law;
• Viktor Japaridze, a People’s Power member who voted in favour of the law;
• Irakli (Dachi) Beraia, a People’s Power member who voted in favour of the law;
• Zaal Mikeladze, a People’s Power member who voted in favour of the law;
• Dimitri Khundadze, a People’s Power member who voted in favour of the law;
• Mikheil Kavelashvili, a People’s Power member who voted in favour of the law;
• Avtandil Enukidze, a European Socialists member who voted in favour of the law;
• Soso Pkhakadze, the President of Wissol Group and the Georgian Business Association, made a statement in support of the law;
• Giorgi Mamadashvili, Chairman of Georgia’s traffic technology company, Elite Technology LLC;
• Ivane (Vano) Chkhartishvili, Georgian businessmen, supporter of the Georgian Dream.

Signed,
[Keti Kalandadze, Jim Jenkins, Guliko Kalandadze Nato, Dato Kvaratskhelia, Tea Kvaratskhelia, Tornike Kikvadze, Tsira Giunashvili, Nino Kikvadze, Gega Kutidze, Sophio Tchanishvili, Natalie Sarjveladze, and Georgian Community In The UK ]