PEN Georgia responds to the forced suspension of the activities of four German political foundations in Georgia — the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, the Heinrich Böll Foundation, and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation.
For decades, these foundations have played an important role in supporting the development of democracy in Georgia. With their support, numerous projects have been implemented in the fields of civil society, independent media, education and research, human rights, the rule of law, culture, and European integration. They have created opportunities for journalists, researchers, civil society activists, writers, young people, and cultural professionals, making an important contribution to strengthening ties between Georgia and Europe.
In PEN Georgia’s view, the withdrawal of the German political foundations is yet another clear sign of democratic backsliding and the systematic shrinking of civic space. Similar processes have taken place in Russia, Belarus, and Azerbaijan. Laws and restrictions targeting independent media and civil society organizations, the persecution of critical voices, and deliberate restrictions on cooperation with international partners are increasingly distancing Georgia from its European future.
PEN Georgia expresses its sincere gratitude to the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, the Heinrich Böll Foundation, and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation for their decades of committed work in Georgia and for their sustained support of Georgian civil society. We express our solidarity with all organizations and individuals whose freedom to operate is currently under threat and reiterate once again: restricting freedom of expression, independent civil society, and international cooperation is yet another step toward the country’s complete isolation.
