Lelo’s Sioridze: Lelo prepares constitutional challenge to political party ban legislation

“The legislative amendments drafted by Georgian Dream violate Article 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights, Article 22 of the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and Paragraph 7 of the OSCE Copenhagen Document, which obliges OSCE member states to guarantee citizens’ freedom to form and participate in political associations,” stated Giorgi Sioridze, a member of the Lelo-Strong Georgia party.

According to him, the Lelo party has prepared a constitutional lawsuit which will be submitted to the Constitutional Court in the coming days.

“These repressive amendments primarily contravene the Constitution of Georgia, specifically Article 60, which grants the Constitutional Court specific competence in relation to the banning of political parties and does not encompass the prohibition of political activity for individuals or for persons associated with political parties. They contravene the fundamental rights enshrined in Georgia’s Constitution and violate Articles 23, 24 and 25 of the Constitution of Georgia.

This repressive legislation will undermine democratic foundations and ensure the complete consolidation of dictatorship and authoritarianism. Lelo-Strong Georgia is a party whose journey, past, present, and future, has always been, and will always remain, one of steadfast struggle. This will continue until the regime ends. We will submit the lawsuit in the coming days, possibly as early as Monday,” declared Giorgi Sioridze.