German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Scholarship Holders responded to the Reintroduction of Russian Law in Georgia.
"We, the scholarship holders of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), strongly disapprove of the reintroduction of the bill 'On Transparency of Foreign Influence' in Georgia, rightfully referred to as the 'Russian Law'. This law jeopardizes Georgia's European future and binds our fate to Russia. As beneficiaries of the European educational system, we feel obligated to condemn this legislation. By limiting international foundations and funding in our country, the 'Russian Law' undermines Georgia's democratic system and endangers vital scholarship programs like those offered by the DAAD. The fact that the DAAD regional office in Georgia is the only one in the entire South Caucasus region, makes this matter all the more concerning.
Several high-ranking officials from the ruling party, “Georgian Dream” have attained higher education in Germany. It is noteworthy that the Chairperson of the Georgian Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili held the DAAD scholarship. Hence, the attempt to strip new generations of such an opportunity, or hamper such aspirations, is hypocritical on their behalf. We offer you a list of these individuals:
Shalva Papuashvili - Chairperson of the Georgian Parliament. Studied at Saarland University (1998-2002) with the DAAD scholarship;
Anri Okhanashvili - Chairperson of the Legal Issues Committee at the Georgian Parliament. Studied Master’s at Friedrich Schiller University Jena and Doctorate at Humboldt University of Berlin (No scholarship indicated);
Irakli Kobakhidze - Prime Minister of Georgia. Studied at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (No scholarship indicated);
Nikoloz Samkharadze - Chairperson of the Foreign Relations Committee at the Georgian Parliament. Studied European Sciences at Hannover University with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation scholarship;
Rati Bregadze - Minister of Justice of Georgia. Studied at the University of Hamburg with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation scholarship.
Reiterating the Joint statement of German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) scholars about Georgian draft laws of "Foreign influence transparency" and "Registration of foreign agents" from the last year; considering the unfavorable opinion of the Georgian society regarding the Russian Law; additionally, contemplating the incompatibility of this law with the Georgian constitution and its national interests; we condemn yet another attempt at passing the Russian Law. Based on the mentioned statement from the DAAD scholars, this law is dangerously similar to its Russian predecessor. Its goal is to limit the activities of the independent media and pro-Western non-governmental organizations. Furthermore, it is inclined to establish a Russian-style authoritarian system in Georgia and showcases indifference on behalf of the Georgian government towards implementing the already 9 recommendations of the EU. We firmly believe that the government, which initiated and is supporting the Russian Law, cannot or will not ensure Georgia’s integration into the European Union. This endangers the adoption of membership negotiations, which is expected at the end of the year for Georgia.
The reintroduction of the Russian Law has already been condemned by 12 European states, including Germany. Their published statement asserts that the reintroduction of this law undermines Georgia’s hard-earned European perspective and candidate status. Any step that hampers Georgia’s European aspirations is unconstitutional and unacceptable.
Considering the abovementioned, we urge the Government of Georgia, the Parliament of Georgia, and every other person who directly influences policy-making in Georgia, to refrain from adopting the Russian Law and to follow the will of the Georgian people in terms of implementing the pro-Western foreign policy and working towards the democratization of Georgia.
The statement is signed by the DAAD scholarship holders (The list of signatories is renewable):
Giorgi Pachuashvili / 2023 - Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
Nino Bidzinashvili / 2023 Freie Universitaet Berlin
Zviad Jolokhava / 2023 - Hochschule München
Ketevan Revazishvili / 2023 - Goethe Universität Frankfurt
Anastasia Chikhladze / 2023 - Technische Universität Dresden
Zurab Mujirishvili / 2023 - Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
Ani Khvadagiani / 2023 - Kiel University of Applied SciencesLevan Mikeladze / 2023 - Universität Mannheim
Levan Mikeladze / 2023 - Universität Mannheim
Salome Sulkhanishvili / 2023 - The Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Universität Kaiserslautern-Landau
Mea Chikovani / 2023 - Technische Universität München
Elizabeth Kelauridze / 2023 - Universität Bonn
Erekle Gozalishvili / 2022 - Universität Regensburg
Lasha Katsanashvili / 2022 - Berlin School of Economics and Law
Mariam Vadatchkoria / 2022 - Technische Universität München
Ana Lomia / 2022 - Universität Hamburg
Salome Margvelashvili / 2021 - Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
Natia Inadze / 2021 - Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena", - the statement reads.
