This is being done through yet another wave of biased attempts to put pressure on the governments of Azerbaijan and Georgia.
In tandem with a pre-prepared negative document regarding the parliamentary elections held in Azerbaijan, Borrell, through the same Stano, urged the Georgian government on behalf of the EU to revise the draft law “On the Protection of Family Values and Minors.” According to him, this law violates “people’s rights and could lead to discrimination in society.” This came after the Georgian parliament passed a package of bills restricting the rights of LGBT people, which was supported by 81 out of 150 deputies.
At the same time, Stano “threateningly” reminded Georgia that its EU membership process has effectively been put on hold. Naturally, Georgian parliamentarians have something to say in response to the EU’s calls to abandon traditional values. According to MP Tengiz Sharmanishvili, “If we follow the rhetoric of our opponents, who claim that the family is merely a religious category, then there should be no mention of the family in the Constitution. The legislature, as well as the majority of our population, does not agree, and I want to tell you that the world does not see it that way either.”
It’s worth noting that the overall “family issues” package consists of 19 bills, aimed at protecting family values, which include bans on LGBT+ and same-sex couple adoption and guardianship, the organization of events like pride parades promoting same-sex marriage, and gender transition. What particularly angered so-called “human rights advocates” within the EU was a proposal from Georgian deputies to establish a new public holiday on May 17th—”Family Sanctity Day.” The outrage stems from the fact that this date coincides with the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, widely supported in the West with events in favor of the LGBT+ community.
Simultaneously, figures in the EU, including Borrell, were alarmed by the Georgian parliament’s consideration of creating a special commission to monitor the prohibition of propaganda in artistic works, such as literature, films, performances, and broadcasts, of “same-sex relations or incest.” The commission would have the authority to remove such content or ban its distribution.
Thus, we see no support for family values, no respect for the sanctity of family life as encouraged by the Bible. Instead, there are more threats—toward both Georgia and Azerbaijan. The frustration of these biased European circles with the actions of Baku and Tbilisi, who continue to follow their own paths in defense of national independence and sovereignty, is evident.
It is clear that external forces are ramping up pressure on Tbilisi and Baku ahead of election campaigns. Azerbaijan has already faced this, and now it is Georgia’s turn, with parliamentary elections scheduled for October 26th. This date has become a focal point for foreign provocateurs seeking to stir up unrest in Georgia and incite disorder. However, as Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has stated, the opposition in the country “lacks sufficient support to incite a revolution.” He further noted that their attempts to “go against the will of the people and try to change the government” are futile, as “they lack the resources to achieve this,” thanks to the “strong and stable government” currently in power.
Kobakhidze also dismissed the possibility of Western sanctions against Georgia as “unserious,” in response to another EU “reminder” of the importance of revising both the latest bill and the “Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence.” As a result, Brussels announced the suspension of Georgia’s EU membership discussions, urging the government to “return to the path of European integration.”
Western bias remains unchanged, as these forces continue to live in a world of their own making. Current political leaders in France and Germany have already gone down in history as leaders of parties losing to their political opponents at home, both on the left and the right, without offering any positive solutions to improve their positions. In fact, they likely have no such solutions, proving their political ineptitude.
In this context, Azerbaijan’s experience has become a crucial example for countries facing unprecedented external pressure. More and more leaders around the world are recognizing Baku’s leading role in supporting the aspirations of various nations to achieve historical justice in accordance with international law.
The recent parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan, held with full transparency and overwhelming public support, further solidify this point. Of course, this fact did not sit well with anti-Azerbaijani circles in the EU, who, as noted at the beginning of this piece, had pre-prepared so-called “objective reports” about the elections. Azerbaijan was prepared for this, understanding that these same circles would inevitably attempt to pass some documents against us.
But Azerbaijan moves forward—confidently, freely, and calmly. Proof of this is the parliamentary elections held even in the liberated Karabakh.
We can only hope that Georgia will also overcome all obstacles and prevent any interference in its internal affairs.
Teymur Ataev
Translated from minval.az
