On January 27, the European Union decided to suspend certain provisions of the visa facilitation agreement with Georgia. The sanctions will apply to high-ranking officials, parliamentarians, some judges and diplomats.
According to a statement on the European Council’s website, the decision was made in response to Georgia’s adoption of laws that the EU considers to be a violation of fundamental human rights.
This applies, in particular, to the “Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence” and a package of laws aimed at “family values.” The EU believes that these laws restrict the rights of Georgian citizens.
The decision is also a response to the brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters and the media that began after November 28, 2024, when Georgia announced that it would suspend negotiations with the EU until 2028.