Representatives of Georgian diaspora organizations in the United States went to the Embassy of Georgia in Washington, D.C., and delivered a letter demanding that emigrants not be restricted from participating in elections.

Paata Papuashvili, the Consul of the Embassy of Georgia in Washington, opened the door for the visiting emigrants, listened to their concerns on the spot, and accepted the letter signed by nine diaspora organizations operating in the U.S.

“Representatives of Georgian community organizations unanimously expressed our position regarding the legislative changes initiated in Georgia. Today, we delivered our joint statement to the representative of the Georgian Embassy in Washington.

We are very troubled, worried, and offended by these changes, and we came here to express that. We did not come with a protest rally, but with a constructive reminder that this initiative is absolutely unacceptable.

We expect that our voices will be heard,” said Salome Tsereteli-Stevens, President of the Georgian Association in the USA. She was among the emigrants who went to the Embassy on November 25 to deliver the letter.

Nikoloz Chkheidze, head of the Georgian community organization “Tvistomi,” says that banning emigrants from participating in elections is absolutely unacceptable.

“We had a wish to meet with the Ambassador. Unfortunately, that meeting did not take place. But we handed our petition to the Consul General. This appeal clearly expresses our stance and position regarding the changes planned by the Parliament of Georgia.

For us, this initiative is completely incomprehensible and unacceptable, and we believe it reflects a very misguided attitude toward the Georgian diaspora. It damages the relationship that should exist between Georgia and its emigrant community.

Our demand is that Parliament withdraw this initiative and, on the contrary, allow the Georgian diaspora whose voice is represented by our community organizations to be more actively involved in ongoing processes in Georgia. There are ways to achieve this. We hope that the voices of hundreds of thousands of Georgian emigrants will reach our homeland’s Parliament and that our demand will be taken into account,” said Nikoloz Chkheidze, head of “Tvistomi.”

A joint statement regarding the constitutional and internationally protected voting rights of Georgian citizens living abroad was released on November 25 by diaspora organizations operating in the U.S.

Below is the full text of the appeal:

“We, Georgian community and diaspora organizations operating in the United States, unanimously express our deep concern regarding the proposed amendments to Georgia’s electoral legislation, which substantially restrict and in effect, abolish the constitutionally guaranteed right to vote for Georgian citizens living abroad.

Such an initiative would alter the rights provided under current legislation, which has long enabled Georgian citizens to participate in elections through consular precincts, in accordance with national and international norms, including:

• The Constitution of Georgia (Article 28) – granting citizens the right to universal, equal, and direct suffrage;

• The Election Code of Georgia – which has for years regulated the participation of voters residing abroad through consular districts;

• The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR, Article 25) – obligating states to ensure citizens’ voting rights without unreasonable restrictions;

• The OSCE/ODIHR Copenhagen Document (1990) – requiring member states to establish inclusive electoral systems ensuring participation for all citizens;

• Georgia’s commitments under the EU integration process, which explicitly include support for political rights, diaspora engagement, and democratic processes.

The proposed amendment restricts previously guaranteed mechanisms of participation, clearly exceeding Georgia’s internationally accepted democratic norms and human rights obligations.

Today, more than one million Georgian citizens live outside the country.

Tens of thousands live, work, and study in the United States, maintaining strong family, cultural, economic, and civic ties with Georgia.

In 2024 alone, remittances from the U.S. to Georgia exceeded $573 million, and projections for 2025 reach $700 million. Meanwhile, hundreds of children study Georgian language, dance, and music in cultural centers and schools across America a testament to both economic and national identity ties.

For Georgians living abroad, voting is not symbolic it is an essential part of citizenship, civic responsibility, and participation in democratic life.

The diaspora has long been part of Georgia’s electoral process, and the right to vote strengthens the connection to the homeland. Restricting this right contradicts the constitutional principle of universal and equal suffrage, diminishes democratic participation, and harms Georgia’s international standing.

By limiting voting rights, Georgia also risks violating its international legal commitments and undermining the inclusiveness, transparency, and legitimacy of its democratic institutions.

Participation of citizens abroad is not a privilege granted by the government it is a constitutional obligation of the state rooted in equal rights for all citizens.

Therefore, we sincerely and firmly call on the Government of Georgia to:

• Reconsider the proposed amendment so that no changes contradict constitutional guarantees or international obligations;
• Protect the universal and equal right to vote, including for all Georgian citizens living abroad;
• Strengthen and develop the mechanisms for voting abroad, and instead of restricting them, create modern, safe, and accessible administrative procedures.

Additionally, in accordance with international best practices, we call for:

• Increasing the number of polling stations abroad according to diaspora demographics;
• Simplifying registration procedures for voters residing outside Georgia;
• Ensuring the security, reliability, and accessibility of voting abroad.

It is our shared responsibility to ensure that every citizen whether in Georgia or abroad can exercise their constitutional right and participate in shaping the country’s future. Voting is not a procedural formality or a privilege; it is a constitutional right on which democratic development stands.

We stand firmly together to protect this right for every Georgian citizen and for future generations.”

The statement is signed by the following organizations:

• Georgian Heritage Foundation
• Georgian Center of Creative Communications – Iveria (Las Vegas)
• Georgian Cultural and Educational Center of Southern California
• GeoVoice USA
• Georgian-American Republican Alliance
• Center of the European Experience (GCEE – Georgian Center)
• US–Georgia Friendship Association
• Tvistomi Association
• Georgian Association in the USA