About two dozen influential Georgian public organizations called for the introduction of a visa regime for citizens of Russia. This is reported by "New Georgia".
"We believe that control over the entry of Russian citizens and enterprises into Georgia is a matter of the country's national security… We demand to immediately establish a visa regime for citizens of the Russian Federation and review the legal status of those who have already entered the country's territory," the signatories say.
They draw attention to the fact that since February 2022, about 6,400 Russian companies have registered in Georgia, seven times more than in 2021. In their opinion, the Russians can now freely use Georgia to circumvent Western sanctions.
"The ongoing occupation, ethnic cleansing committed by the Russian Federation in Georgia, crimes against humanity, the ongoing conflict (according to the quote in the primary source) in Ukraine and the often used approach of the Russian Federation - intervention in a foreign country under the pretext of "protecting" its own citizens - all this creates sufficient grounds for the establishment of a visa regime," the statement argues.
The signatories note that restricting the rights of citizens of an enemy country or an occupying country is a common practice and does not contradict international human rights standards. Obtaining asylum for Russians will still be possible, and such situations are considered individually.
The statement also expresses full support for Ukrainians in their struggle for freedom.
The petition was signed by 19 organizations: Open Society Foundation, Media Ombudsman, Sirtskhvilia, Institute of Civil Society, Association of Young Lawyers of Georgia, Movement for Equality, Rights of Georgia, Support Group for Women's Initiatives, European fund", "International Observatory of Advocates and Lawyers", "Sapari", "Guardians of Democracy", "Center for Social Sciences", Court Watch, "Green Alternative", "Democracy Index - Georgia", "Prospekt" platform, BGI Advisory Services Georgia, co-founder of the "Bar Association of Georgia".
