The U.S. Department of State has announced additional actions today under the visa restriction policy aimed at those responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy in Georgia. Today’s actions will affect approximately twenty individuals, including government ministers, members of Parliament, law enforcement and security officials, as well as private citizens.
The United States strongly condemns the ongoing violence by the Georgian Dream party, which has targeted Georgian citizens, including protesters, journalists, human rights activists, and opposition figures. This violence is unjustified and brutal, and it marks a shift away from Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations, which are strongly supported by the Georgian people and enshrined in the Georgian constitution.
The U.S. is committed to ensuring that senior officials responsible for or complicit in undermining democracy face visa restrictions. In addition, further actions, including sanctions, are being prepared to hold accountable those who continue to undermine democracy in Georgia.
The United States stands alongside the people of Georgia in seeking a strong, prosperous, and democratic Georgia, integrated firmly into the Euro-Atlantic community. Today’s actions add to previous measures that have impacted over 100 individuals affiliated with Georgian Dream and their family members.
These visa restrictions were imposed under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, pursuant to the policy announced by Secretary Blinken in May 2024.