Women’s Rights Committee concludes Georgia mission 

A delegation from the European Parliament’s Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality, led by MEP Dainius Žalimas (Renew, LT) and including Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus (S&D, Poland) and Carolina Morace (The Left, Italy) travelled to Georgia from 26 to 28 May.

The purpose of the visit was to assess the gender equality and women’s rights situation in the country, including women’s representation in politics and the threats they face, such as gender-based violence, gender disinformation and digital violence. The delegation also expressed support for the EU membership aspirations of the Georgian people and their commitment to European values and democratic governance.

Following the visit, the head of the Parliament delegation, Dainius Žalimas (Renew, Lithuania), said:

“We express our unwavering support for Georgia’s women rights defenders, who are on the frontline when it comes to defending Georgia's European future and European values, despite the Georgian government having suspended its EU accession efforts. They have to face disinformation and propaganda campaigns supported by government-affiliated actors and directed against the European Union.”

Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus (S&D, Poland) said: “We very concerned about the arrests of civil society representatives, including women with families, such as Elene Khostaria, mother of four; and journalists such as Mzia Amaglobeli, and we call for their immediate release.”

Background

The MEPs travelled to Georgia with a clear message that the country is part of Europe. During their visit, the MEPs met with representatives of the political opposition and civil society, journalists, organisations working in settlements for internally displaced people, and family members and lawyers of journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, imprisoned Sakharov Prize laureate, who has a medical condition. The MEPs also met with international partners working on women’s issues, from UN Women Georgia and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).