Georgia's Reforms Associates (GRASS) joins Georgian People's address to the Free World
21 February, 2020
Georgia's Reforms Associates (GRASS) joins Georgian People's address to the Free World
Letter of the Georgian People to the Free World
We, the citizens of Georgia, appeal for help in defending our free, sovereign and democratic country.
Since its independence from the Soviet Union, Georgia has moved steadily towards becoming an established democracy. Despite the odds—and in defiance of so many skeptics—our country showed what successful reforms could achieve. With Western support, Georgia became a leading democracy in the region, first and foremost due to the determination of its people.
But today, all of this is under a clear and growing threat—the young Georgian democracy is on the verge of collapse.
Georgia’s shadow ruler, Bidzina Ivanishvili, an oligarch with ties to Russia, is rapidly turning the country into his personal fiefdom. He runs Georgia as an unelected and unaccountable leader of the ruling party—much as it was done in Soviet times. The oligarch fully controls all three branches of Government and uses the courts as a weapon to silence critics and jail political leaders and activists. He funds anti-Western disinformation campaigns to demonize pro-Western opponents. His unchecked power is sowing discord and violence in Georgia, which only benefits our northern neighbor, Russia.
Public opinion has turned on Ivanishvili, and his increasingly brazen power-grabs. The overwhelming majority of Georgian society strongly supports reform of the electoral system. They understand that political pluralism needs to be restored in order to roll back the endemic state capture and one-man rule that has characterized the last several years of Ivanishvili’s informal rule.
Shaken by mass protests, Ivanishvili yielded in June 2019 pledged to reform the electoral system. But four months later, scared of losing power, the oligarch broke his word and binned the reform bill. Moreover, Ivanishvili jeopardized the subsequent negotiation process regarding the electoral system with the opposition by sentencing a major opposition leader, sending a clear signal that he is not interested in dialogue.
Georgia is located in a strategically important region, caught between Russia and the Middle East. Having democracy flourish here would have real implications for global peace and security. A strong and democratic Georgia would serve as a valuable example to the world. Its failure will strengthen Russia in its quest to weaken Euro-Atlantic security.
We are committed to strengthening Georgian democracy by means of free and fair elections. But to achieve this goal, we need the West to firmly stand with us.
We call on the leaders of the democratic world to use all means at your disposal to convince Georgia’s informal master, Bidzina Ivanishvili to compromise by putting an end to political persecution and releasing political prisoners, and delivering electoral reform that would defuse tensions and normalize the situation in the run-up to the 2020 parliamentary elections.
Respectfully,
Ghia Nodia, Caucasus Institute for Peace, Democracy and Development
Giorgi Badridze, Senior Fellow, GFSIS, Former Ambassador to the UK
Grigol Mgaloblishvili, Former Permanent Representative to NATO, Former Ambassador to Turkey
Maka Chichua, Former First Lady of Georgia
Batu Kutelia, Vice-President, Atlantic Council of Georgia, Former Ambassador to the US
Nona Tsotsoria, Former Judge at the European Court of Human Rights
David Rakviashvili, Former Secretary of National Security Council of Georgia
Tornike Gordadze, Professor, Institute of Political Studies, Paris, Lille, Bordeaux
Vato Lejava, Rector of Free and Agricultural universities
Akaki Tsomaia, Professor of Economics, the University of Georgia
Alika Kuprava, Lecturer, Ilia State University
Giga Bedineishvili, Dean of Business School, Free University
Nana Alexandria, Chess Grandmaster, two-time World Vice-Champion
Anna Zhvania, Research Fellow, GISS, Former Chief of Intelligence Service
Giorgi Rukhadze, Founder, Director of European Studies at the Georgian Strategic Analysis Center
Teona Akubardia, Former Deputy Secretary, National Security Council
Iago Kachkachishvili, Head of Department of Sociology and Social Work, TSU.
Eka Akobia, International Relations Expert
Shota Gvineria, Georgia’s former Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Giorgi Tabagari, Director of Tbilisi Pride
Keti Devdariani, Screenwriter
Anastasia Bendukidze, Partner and Director of Knowledge Fund
Achiko Guledani, Musician, Tbilisi Open Air Founder
Tinatin Khidasheli, Chairperson of Civic Idea, Former Minister of Defense
Dr. David Jandieri, Director, Center for Democracy and Rule of Law, GSAC
Lasha Bugadze, Author
Vasil Sikharulidze, Atlantic Council of Georgia
Levan Bokeria, PhD student, University of Cambridge
Levan Ramishvili, Chairman of the Liberty Institute
Nodar Kharshiladze, Founder of Georgian Strategic Analysis Center
Beka Mindiashvili, Founder of Tolerance and Diversity Institute
Natia Samushia, Vice-Rector of Free and Agricultural Universities
Nino Evgenidze, Director of Economic Policy Research Center
Tamara Chergoleishvili, Founder of Tabula Media
Paata Shamugia, Poet
Giorgi Targamadze, Deputy CEO of Formula Media
Nutsa Batiashvili, Dean of the Graduate School, Free University of Tbilisi
Anina Tepnadze, CEO of On.ge Media
Archil Marshania, MD, Anesthesiologist/ ICU doctor
Badri Gelitashvili, Professor, Free University Tbilisi
Giorgi Isakadze, Managing Partner at Business Media Georgia
Giorgi Kldiashvili, Executive Director of IDFI
Tamar Kintsurashvili, Media Researcher
Tamar Tsopurashvili. Full Professor, Ilia State University
Ana Tavadze, Fukuyama Democracy Frontline Center
Levan Ghambashidze, Teacher
Zurab Katchkatchishvili, Georgia’s former Ambassador to India
Bejan Javakhia, Professor, Ilia State University
David Paitchadze, Professor, Ilia State University
Zurab Gumbaridze, CEO at Formula
David Khidasheli, Artist
Zurab Davitashvili, Professor of International Relations, Tbilisi State University
David Khvadagiani, Historian
Giorgi Janelidze, Screenwriter
Salome Ugulava, Editor-in-Chief of Tabula
Natalia Antelava, Co-Founder, CEO Coda Media
David Zurabishvili, Author and Publicist
David Tsiramua, Education Columnist
Giorgi Muchaidze, Executive Director, Atlantic Council of Georgia
Tamar Khidasheli, Former Member of the Parliament of Georgia
Nino Jangirashvili, Owner, Director of Kavkasia TV media
Nini Gogiberidze, Lawyer
Ucha Nanuashvili, Director, Democracy Research Institute, Former Public Defender of Georgia
Giorgi Mshvenieradze, Chairman of Georgian Democracy Initiative
David Zedelashvili, Associate Professor, Free University of Tbilisi, Constitutional Scholar
Dimitri Liparteliani, Medical Doctor, Medical journalist
Ninia Kakabadze, Member of Georgian Public Broadcaster Board of Trustees
Dr. Shalva Dzebisashvili, Head of PS&IR Programs, University of Georgia
Irakli Tabliashvili, Founder of Voice from Georgia
Ellen Nodia, Caucasus Institute for Peace, Democracy and Development
Eduard Marikashvili, Strategic Litigation Program Director, Georgian Democracy Initiative
Gaioz Japaridze, Professor, University of Georgia, Expert, GSAC
Giorgi Maisuradze, Professor, Ilia State University
Tornike Sharashenidze, the Head of the MA Program of International Affairs at GIPA
Tengo Pkhaladze, Former Advisor to the 4th President of Georgia, Foreign Relations Secretary
Giorgi Meladze, Associate Professor, Ilia State University
Zaal Andronikashvili, Professor, Ilia State University
Giorgi Mumladze, Lecturer, Ilia State University
Giorgi Noniashvili, Lecturer, Ilia State University
Giorgi Tabliashvili, Artist
Salome Khvadagiani, Director of Liberty Institute
Nino Macharashvili, Editor, Tabula Media
Gela Vasadze, Director of regional Studies Programs, GSAC
Gkhedav Platform
Shame Movement
Keti Bakradze, Chef, Restaurateur
Ioseb Berikashvili, Dean of the School of Economics, Caucasus University
Irakli Khvadagiani, Historian
Levan Sutidze, Journalist, Tabula Media
Vato Tsereteli, Owner of TV Pirveli Media
Irakli Phorchkhidze, Founder of the GISS, Dean of Ilia State University Law School
Ivane Tsereteli, Associate Professor, Tbilisi State University
Jaba Devdariani, Independent Consultant, Public Administration Reform
Sopo Gelava, Media Researcher
Jaba Zarkua, Lecturer, Gastroenterologist
Julie Giorgadze, Expert in Political Communication;
Kato Kopaleishvili, Liberty Institute
Theo Khatiashvili, Film Critic
Misha Mshvildadze, Daily Show Host, Formula Media
Ketevan Khachidze Director, Orbeliani Georgia
Mirian Khukhunaishvili, Conductor
Vladimer Apkhazava, Global ambassador of Global and Varkey Foundation, Teacher
Ketevan Mskhiladze, Member of Georgian Public Broadcaster Board of Trustees
Khatuna Lagazidze, Political analyst and expert in security issues, TSU, GSAC
Lana Lagvilava, Lawyer, Author
Levan Sikharulidze, Liberty Institute
Lia Liqokeli, Author
Zaza Abashidze, Founder of Governance Monitoring Center / Squander Detector
Raul Agikiani, Lawyer
Paata Gaprindashvili, Director, Georgia’s Reforms Associates
Rusudan Kobakhidze, Tbilisi Green School
Misha Mdinaradze, Composer
Nikoloz Aleksidze, Associate Professor and Dean of Social Sciences, Free University
Sergo Chikhladze, MD, PHD Public Health, Hubert H.Humphrey Fellow 2013-2014
Teona Beqishvili, Literary Critic, Researcher at Ilia State University
Gvantsa Chachanidze, Liberty Institute
Tengo Tevzadze, Law and Equality Center
Vakho Jajanidze, Film Director
Zaal Chkheidze, Translator, Literary Critic
Zaza Koshkadze, Author
Zviad Ratiani, Author, Poet
Zviad Adzinbaia, Nonresident fellow, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy
