HRW 2026 Report: Human rights situation in Georgia has deteriorated sh...

“Georgia’s human rights record sharply deteriorated in 2025 as the ruling Georgian Dream party adopted sweeping laws aimed at decimating the country’s vibrant civil society and silencing critical media. Authorities also excessively interfered with largely peaceful protests. The measures go against Georgia’s human rights commitments on freedoms of expression, assembly, and association, as well as on equality and non-discrimination. New “foreign agents” legislation, adopted in March, requires organizations and individuals receiving foreign funding to register in the state registry and imposes onerous reporting obligations under threat of criminal prosecution. Other repressive amendments require governmental approval for all foreign grants and further curtail peaceful protests, independent media, and free speech. Authorities also approved the removal of the term “gender” and “gender equality” from all laws and abolished the parliament’s Gender Equality Council.The October municipal elections were held amid a sweeping crackdown on dissent and a partial opposition boycott. On election day, tens of thousands of people rallied to protest the government’s repressive policies. The demonstration escalated into unrest when some protesters attempted to storm the presidential palace. Police arrested over 60 people on charges of inciting violent overthrow and attempting to change the constitutional order.The European Union and its member states denounced the backsliding as an “assault on fundamental rights,” recalling that Georgia’s accession process remains “de facto halted.” They called on Georgia to reverse the crackdown and repeal the repressive laws. In January, the EU suspended visa-free travel for holders of Georgian diplomatic and service passports. Several EU countries also imposed travel bans on senior government officials. In July, Brussels warned about possible suspension of visa-free travel for Georgian citizens if the country failed to fulfill key human rights-related obligations. In its enlargement report published in November, the European Commission said Georgia “further derailed from the EU path,” and described it as a “candidate country in name only.”Freedom of AssociationIn March, parliament adopted a “foreign agents“ law, requiring individuals and entities to register as “foreign agents” if they operate under the vaguely defined “influence” of, or receive funding from, a foreign principal and engage in “political activities” in the interests of this principal. It also obliges them to file onerous annual financial declarations with excessive details, submit two copies of any public statement within 48 hours of publication, and mark all such statements with the “foreign agent” label. Failure to register carries criminal fines up to 10,000 GEL (about US$3,700) and/or a maximum five years in prison, while noncompliance with reporting or labeling requirements can result in fines up to 5,000 GEL (about US$1,850) or six months’ imprisonment. The law poses an existential threat to Georgia’s civil society. It is an escalation from similar legislation adopted in May 2024—the Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence—which remains in force but envisages mostly administrative sanctions for noncompliance.In April, the ruling party amended the Law on Grants to require governmental approval for any foreign donor funding to local organizations. Receiving a grant without official approval results in a fine equal to twice the amount of the grant. In June, amendments extended the approval requirements to “technical assistance” and “knowledge sharing.”In June, at least eight leading civil society organizations received court orders demanding that they file an inordinate number of documents, including sensitive and confidential information about survivors of human rights violations who had received pro bono legal aid.In August, the Anti-Corruption Bureau, the state agency responsible for enforcing the “foreign agents” law, sent notices to seven out of the eight NGOs, demanding explanation for not registering as foreign agents and warning of criminal liability. The bureau sent inspection notifications to dozens of other NGOs following the amendments to the Law on Grants in April.In March, authorities froze the bank accounts of five civil society groups, including Human Rights House Tbilisi and Shame Movement, on spurious allegations that they had used donor funds to support protesters during the 2024 demonstrations. In August, authorities also froze the accounts of seven prominent NGOs—the International Society of Fair Elections and Democracy, Institute for Development of Freedom of Information, Georgian Democracy Initiative, Union Sapari, Social Justice Center, Civil Society Foundation, and Democracy Defenders—as part of a criminal investigation for alleged “sabotage.” Officials claimed that the groups used their project funds to support demonstrators who committed “violent acts” against police. The prosecutor’s office also summoned several heads of those NGOs to testify in the same probe.Freedom of Assembly and Excessive Use of Police ForceMassive, nationwide protests erupted after the ruling party’s November 2024 decision to abandon Georgia’s EU accession process. Police and other security forces repeatedly used brutal and excessive force against largely peaceful demonstrators, chasing down, encircling, and beating protesters, and subjecting many to torture and ill-treatment in police custody. Riot police and informal violent groups associated with the authorities harassed and attacked opposition activists and independent journalists. Survivors reported head trauma, broken noses and facial bones, concussions, rib and limb fractures, and scratches and bruises all over their bodies. Some women protesters reported that police had threatened them with sexual violence.Police wore riot gear or full-face masks, with no visible insignia, hindering accountability for excessive use of force. Although authorities launched some investigations into allegations of police abuse, at the time of writing, they had not identified or prosecuted any officers responsible.In contrast, the authorities charged hundreds of protesters with the administrative or misdemeanor offense of police disobedience and prosecuted them in perfunctory trials. Authorities also prosecuted dozens of protesters on spurious criminal charges, including for alleged use of violence against law enforcement, sentencing at least 35 protesters to lengthy prison terms.In June, authorities dismantled Special Investigation Service, an independent agency established in 2022 to investigate crimes committed by law enforcement officials, and transferred its functions to the prosecutor’s office, further eroding accountability.In February, the parliament passed several restrictive amendments to the administrative and criminal codes, raising maximum administrative detention from 15 to 60 days, introducing fines and jail time for “verbally insulting” public officials, and criminalizing “resisting law enforcement” and public calls to civil disobedience.In June, based on complaints made by ruling party members, a court fined over a dozen activists for critical social media posts, some of which included offensive language against ruling party members. The court deemed them to constitute “insult” and issued fines ranging from 3,000 to 4,000 GEL (US$1,100 – 1,500). Parliament later added detention as a penalty for failure to pay fines imposed for the administrative offenses of insulting a public official, petty hooliganism, disobeying police orders, and violating protest rules.In October, authorities further increased penalties for protest-related offenses, introducing administrative detention of up to 60 days and criminal liability of up to 4 years’ imprisonment for repeat violations.In December 2024, parliament adopted amendments that authorized police to “preventively” detain individuals for 48 hours if they had previously been implicated in an administrative offense and were deemed likely to reoffend.Jailing of Political OppositionCourts convicted eight opposition politicians, including six opposition party leaders, sentencing them to months in jail for boycotting the ruling party’s parliamentary investigative commission tasked with probing alleged crimes by the former President Mikheil Saakashvili’s government. Two of them were released under a presidential pardon in September.In September, authorities arrested another opposition leader, Levan Khabeishvili, on bribery charges over his public promises to pay money to riot police if they refused to disperse protesters. Prosecutors later added an “inciting coup” charge.Freedom of Expression and MediaIn April, parliament adopted amendments to the Broadcasting Law, banning all foreign funding and in-kind assistance to broadcast media and expanding the power of the Communications Commission, a body dominated by ruling party appointees, to regulate broadcasters’ content. Local groups warned the changes would stifle critical and independent media.In June, the ruling party filed complaints with the Communications Commission against two major opposition-leaning channels, Formula and TV Pirveli, for, among other things, questioning the government’s legitimacy in their reporting language. The complaint challenges the use of such language as “illegitimate government,” “regime,” and “state capture.” The commission has the authority to impose sanctions, ranging from warning and corrective actions to suspension or revocation of a broadcasting license.Another set of legislative amendments narrowed protections for individuals and media facing defamation lawsuits. The amendments reverse the burden of proof to the defendant, remove the presumption in favor of free speech, eliminate source protection, limit public interest exceptions, and increase liability for defamation. Defendants, including journalists, will be required to prove the truth of their statements, rather than plaintiffs proving that their statements are false.In August, a court sentenced Mzia Amaghlobeli, a well-known journalist and founder of the independent newspaper Batumelebi and online outlet Netgazeti, to two years in prison on politically motivated charges of “resistance, threat, or violence against a public official” over slapping a local police chief during a tense night of protests in January. International organizations and diplomatic missions condemned the conviction as “politicized and disproportionate””, - the report reads.

Who will serve temporary investigative commission to study prices

Seven members of the 14-member commission will be from the Georgian Dream faction. These MPs are: Shota Berekashvili (Chairman of the commission) Nino Tsilosani Maia Bitadze Paata Kvizhinadze Vakhtang Turnava Zaza Lominadze Gela Samkharauli The commission will have three members from the For Georgia faction. The members of the temporary commission from the aforementioned faction are: Giorgi Sharashidze Shalva Kereselidze Ketevan Bakaradze Three members will be from the political group “People’s Power”: Guram Macharashvili Dimitri Khundadze Eka Sepashvili Ilia Injia from the “European Socialists” has joined the temporary commission.The temporary parliamentary commission will function for three months.A commission on issues related to food, medicine and fuel prices has been created in the government administration. The commission is chaired by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, who stated that food is expensive in Georgia compared to Europe because there is a high markup and profit. The State Security Service has also begun studying consumer prices.

Statistical Office Director May Serve More Than Two Terms Under New Le...

The proposed changes to the Law on “Official Statistics” were introduced by MPs from the ruling Georgian Dream party. According to the draft, the clause that prohibits the same individual from holding the post of Executive Director for more than two consecutive terms will be eliminated entirely.The explanatory note to the bill outlines several key justifications: Retention of experienced leadership: The authors argue that the current cap prevents effective and high-performing directors from continuing their work within the institution. Institutional stability: The proposed amendment aims to promote long-term continuity, organizational growth, and professional consistency within Geostat. Merit-based renewal: Under the new approach, the reappointment of an Executive Director would be based on performance, professional reputation, and trust—rather than a pre-determined numerical limit on terms. The amendment was submitted to Parliament by MPs Shota Berekashvili, Levan Machavariani, Anton Obolashvili, Irakli Mezurnishvili, Giorgi Barvenashvili, and Tornike Berekashvili.According to the initiators, the proposal will contribute to improving the quality of official statistics and ensuring better alignment with international standards in the long run.Geostat is currently headed by Executive Director Gogita Todradze, who was first appointed to the position in 2018. His second term began in 2022, meaning that under the existing legislation, his mandate would have expired in 2026. The proposed amendment would allow him, and future directors, to remain in office beyond the previously established two-term limit.

Germany Addresses Georgia With A Recommendation

According to the statement, Germany expressed concern during the UPR process — a mandatory review each UN member state must undergo — noting a rapid deterioration of human rights in Georgia. Germany cited serious restrictions on freedom of assembly, association, expression, and speech, enabled through “repressive legislation” and the misuse of administrative and criminal proceedings. Berlin also highlighted the lack of accountability for violent attacks on protesters and journalists.Germany recommended that Georgia thoroughly investigate reports of excessive force used against demonstrators, including allegations of torture and ill-treatment by police, and ensure victims have access to justice, compensation, and rehabilitation. The German delegation further urged the Georgian government to remove obstacles to civil society activity and to repeal or amend the “Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence,” the “Law on Registration of Foreign Agents,” and recent amendments to the “Law on Grants.” Berlin also called for revisions to changes made to the Law on Assemblies and Demonstrations, as well as to the Administrative Offences and Criminal Codes, arguing that the current versions restrict the right to peaceful assembly and contradict international legal standards, Venice Commission recommendations, and the EU’s 2025 Enlargement Report.Additionally, Germany requested the repeal or substantial amendment of changes to the broadcasting legislation and the laws governing freedom of expression and speech. The embassy emphasized that Georgia, as a member of international organizations, is obliged to uphold human rights and fundamental freedoms and warned that current developments contradict these commitments.Germany is among the 24 countries that on January 29 activated the OSCE’s “Moscow Mechanism” to launch an expert mission to examine human rights developments in Georgia. The joint statement explains that the mechanism was triggered due to worsening human rights conditions and urges the Georgian government to cooperate fully and facilitate the mission’s work. The countries noted that although the OSCE’s “Vienna Mechanism” was invoked in December 2024 to seek information and express concern, Georgia’s responses have not alleviated the growing worries about its adherence to international human rights obligations.In a letter to the OSCE Director, the 24 delegations reaffirmed their engagement with Georgia throughout 2025 and stressed the importance of constructive dialogue. The mission, they said, will aim to document recent human rights developments; assess their impact on civil society, media freedom, the rule of law, judicial independence, political pluralism, and other structural components of democratic governance; and issue recommendations on how to address the identified concerns.

Tbilisi State University and Georgian Technical University to merge

He explained that the decision followed preliminary consultations with the university rectors.“The launch of a significant reform in the higher education system is founded on thorough analysis, international best practices, and the long-term interests of the country’s development.Recently, a comparative evaluation of academic programmes, research specialisations, and infrastructure across state universities was carried out. Based on this process and preliminary consultations with the rectors, we have decided to merge Tbilisi State University and Georgian Technical University. This merger is a vital step towards establishing Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University as a leading centre for academic and scientific advancement in the region, and will markedly enhance its international rankings,” Givi Mikanadze noted.As Givi Mikanadze explained, by order of the Minister, a temporary management body, the Council, will be established to oversee the merger. An acting rector, together with deputy rectors, will be appointed to manage the reorganisation process.Furthermore, a new position of Lead Professor will be established as part of the higher education reform. Selected through a competitive process, individuals appointed to this role will provide strategic leadership for teaching and research, fostering quality improvement and supporting the development of young academic staff.