Statement on suspension of Georgia from Matra Rule of Law Training programme

On August 19, 2025, in close cooperation with its partners, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands decided to suspend participation of Georgian government officials to the Matra Rule of Law Training Programme (ROLT).

Co-delivered by the Netherlands Helsinki Committee (NHC), Leiden Law School, and The Hague Academy for Local Governance, Matra ROLT is financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, and implemented by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO).

Since 2017, 191 Georgian civil servants have been trained through the programme, building an extensive alumni network throughout Georgian governmental institutions, and strongly contributing to our mutual relationship.

As quoted in the Ministry’s announcement:

This makes the suspension a difficult step. It is necessary because of the deteriorating situation in Georgia, which is a direct result of the disturbing and concerning actions by the Georgian Dream government. The Netherlands will continue to call out the Georgian authorities’ undemocratic actions and violations of human rights, democracy, and rule of law. The Netherlands has always been a steadfast supporter and partner in further developing Georgia’s rule of law. The Rule of Law Training Programme is designed to further strengthen institutional capacity and has always been our flagship in this regard. We can no longer achieve lasting and meaningful impact with our programme in Georgia.

Both the Dutch Embassy in Georgia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have expressed hope that, should the situation improve, Georgian officials will once again be welcomed back into the programme. (Source: https://civil.ge/archives/6974560)

The NHC fully supports this difficult yet unavoidable step, taken in reaction to the escalating crisis in Georgia.