Brussels, 21/04/2016 (Agence Europe) - At their annual human rights dialogue on Wednesday 20 April, the European Union and Georgian delegations stated that “political pluralism” was “a prerequisite for the conduct of democratic elections”.
Hailing the changes brought to the electoral system that aim to ensure equality of suffrage, the EU encouraged Tbilisi to continue its efforts to increase the participation of women and national minority representatives in politics, a press release from the European External Action Service (EEAS) states. The EU and Georgia also agreed on “the importance of a free and pluralistic media environment”. Parliamentary elections are planned in Georgia at the start of October and Europeans regularly underline the importance to their Georgian counterparts of the freedom of expression and of a politically dynamic environment in Georgia (see EUROPE 11487).
The EU also “positively noted” the ongoing justice sector reforms “with a view to building an institutional democracy in Georgia”, the press release adds.
The Europeans and Georgians agreed that Tbilisi needs to continue to work on “establishing an independent and impartial investigative mechanism” for the efficient investigation and prosecution of certain crimes against human rights and freedoms committed by representatives of law enforcement agencies. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)