Baltic Nations Tighten Sanctions on Georgia
Estonia, Latvia Expand Travel Bans Amid Repression Concerns
Estonia and Latvia have significantly expanded sanctions against Georgian officials, adding dozens more individuals to lists of those deemed undesirable for entry. This move signals a hardening stance by the Baltic states in response to what they describe as political repressions within Georgia.
Estonia Adds to Sanctioned List
Estonia has declared an additional 19 Georgian officials persona non grata. This latest action follows previous sanctions, bringing the total number of targeted individuals to a higher figure. The decision reflects Estonia’s commitment to addressing human rights and democratic concerns in Georgia.
Latvia Imposes Indefinite Entry Ban
Latvia has officially added 55 more Georgian citizens to its list of prohibited persons. According to the Parliamentary Secretary of the Latvian Foreign Ministry, **Baiba Braže**, the ban on entry for these individuals has been imposed for an indefinite period. Braže stated, I have decided to put an additional 55 citizens of Georgia on the list of persons undesirable for the Republic of Latvia
.
Broader European Scrutiny
The actions by Estonia and Latvia are part of a wider concern among European nations regarding Georgia’s political trajectory. These sanctions underscore the growing international pressure on the Georgian government to uphold democratic principles and human rights standards.
Recent EU Developments
The European Union has also expressed concerns about Georgia’s recent political developments. For instance, in early March 2024, the EU noted a worrying trend of legislative initiatives and rhetoric that could negatively impact civil society and democratic institutions. This situation highlights a broader pattern of democratic backsliding observed in several countries recently (International IDEA 2023).
Continued Diplomatic Pressure
Foreign Minister **Tsahkna** confirmed Estonia’s latest measures, noting that We sanctioned 19 more Georgian officials
. The expanded lists of sanctioned individuals demonstrate a coordinated effort by the Baltic states to exert diplomatic and economic pressure on Georgia.
