Georgian delegation walks out of OSCE PA, but resolution passes without them

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly has adopted the "Hague Declaration," which includes a resolution titled "Protecting the Integrity of Elections and Fundamental Freedoms in Georgia." Prior to the vote, the Georgian delegation walked out of the meeting hall in protest against the document's content.

Nikoloz Samkharadze, Chair of the Georgian Parliament's Foreign Relations Committee, explained the decision by stating that several provisions of the declaration did not reflect the actual situation in the country and contradicted its national interests. He also requested that the Georgian delegation's position be recorded in the official meeting minutes and thanked the event organizers for their hospitality.

"Our delegation will not participate in the voting process as a sign of protest. It is particularly regrettable that we are forced to make such a decision in The Hague—a city that stands as a symbol of international law," Samkharadze stated.

Pere Joan Pons Sampietro, President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, responded to the move. He noted that "empty seats in parliament are always the worst option, because democracy is, above all, a joint effort to resolve conflicts."

Following the Georgian delegation's departure, the Assembly adopted the declaration. The document—sponsored primarily by U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson—expresses concern regarding the situation surrounding Georgia's elections, the restriction of fundamental freedoms, and the persecution of the opposition, journalists, and peaceful protesters. The resolution also calls for the release of political prisoners, the repeal of laws that the authors believe restrict rights and freedoms, and an investigation into potential election irregularities.

Последние новости
Media: Delegations from 13 countries walk out of Baku summit during Israeli President’s speech
Politics
Media: Delegations from 13 countries walk out of Baku summit during Israeli President’s speech
15 October 2026

Representatives from several countries walked out of the hall during a speech by Israeli President Isaac Herzog on October 15 at the summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), currently being held in Baku. According to the Turkish newspaper *Yeni Akit*, delegations from 13 countries—Iran, Palestine, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iraq, Egypt, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Bangladesh—participated in the walkout.

In Dagestan, former police officers have had their suspended sentences replaced with prison terms in a case involving the torture of a woman
Human rights
In Dagestan, former police officers have had their suspended sentences replaced with prison terms in a case involving the torture of a woman
15 October 2026

The Supreme Court of Dagestan has ordered that former police officers Shamil Aliyev and Ramazan Saypulayev—convicted for the torture of Yulduz Kurashova and the fabrication of a criminal case against her—be sent to a penal colony. On October 14, the court converted their suspended sentences into actual prison terms, according to the human rights organization "Team Against Torture." The case had been under review for the fourth time.

Concluding a Peace Agreement with Azerbaijan: Pashinyan’s Personal Priority Through 2031
Politics
Concluding a Peace Agreement with Azerbaijan: Pashinyan’s Personal Priority Through 2031
15 October 2026

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has identified the signing and ratification of a peace agreement with Azerbaijan as his primary objective for the coming years. He intends to see this matter resolved by 2031, a goal he announced during a government meeting on October 15, as reported by Armenpress.

Georgia’s Interior Ministry Denies Involvement in Entry Ban for Japaridze in Turkey
Politics
Georgia’s Interior Ministry Denies Involvement in Entry Ban for Japaridze in Turkey
15 October 2026

The Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs has stated that it did not request a ban on opposition politician Zurab Japaridze entering other countries. The agency commented on the detention of one of the "Coalition for Change" leaders at a Turkish airport in response to an inquiry from the IPN news agency.