UNM’s Pavlenishvili: European countries do not agree to destroying all critical organisations

“European countries can find common ground on many issues, including the registry and similar matters, but they do not agree on the destruction and abolition of all critical organisations,” Irakli Pavlenishvili, Deputy Secretary General of the United National Movement, remarked when asked, “In the Czech Republic, they have agreed on a new government programme that includes the creation of a registry for non-governmental organisations. How do you view this?”

“There is a fundamental, intrinsic difference between Georgia and European or Western countries. In the West, critical organisations do not go without income for an entire year, nor are repressive laws passed that essentially prevent them from even operating. Therefore, there is no comparison between the situations in Georgia and those in other countries,” Irakli Pavlenishvili has stated.

Pavlenishvili replied to another question, asking, “Isn’t this initiative Russian in origin?”

“Why should it be Russian? Creating a registry in itself is not a Russian concept. The Georgian people are wise, and they don’t call a law ‘Russian’ for no reason. This law is called Russian because, ultimately, it serves Russia’s strategic interests. It is a copy of laws through which Russia has strangled media outlets, NGOs, and political parties within its own borders. This is a point often discussed,” Pavlenishvili concluded.