Report reveals deteriorating human rights situation in Georgia
The United States Department of State's 2024 Human Rights Report on Georgia raises serious concerns about the country's democracy, human rights, and media freedom. The report criticises several repressive laws enacted by the ruling Georgian Dream party, including the “Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence” and the “Law on Family Values and Protection of Minors,” which credible non-governmental organisations claim restrict freedoms of expression and association.
The report documents major human rights issues, such as credible reports of torture, cruel or degrading treatment, arbitrary arrest and detention, and significant restrictions on media freedom. Journalists faced violence, threats, unjust arrests, and prosecutions, creating a chilling effect on independent reporting. While some government officials were investigated and punished for abuses, impunity remains a persistent problem.
The report also addresses the situation in Georgia’s Russian-occupied regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, where de facto authorities, backed by Russian forces, committed serious human rights abuses with impunity, including arbitrary arrests and detentions beyond the control of the central government.
The report suggests a deteriorating climate for human rights and democratic freedoms in Georgia, driven by restrictive legislation, systemic abuses, and unresolved issues in the occupied territories. Newly adopted legislation in Georgia has a negative impact on public discourse, narrowing the space for open debate.
Political pressures and abuses are identified as primary challenges in Georgia, with coercion, intimidation, and administrative abuse, especially during the October 2024 parliamentary elections, severely limiting freedom of expression. These tactics, as stated in the report, undermine the integrity of the electoral environment in Georgia.
The report indicates a connection between recent legislative changes in Georgia and the observed coercion, misuse of administrative resources, and political intimidation, particularly before the October parliamentary elections. The 'Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence' and the 'Law on Family Values and Protection of Minors' have a negative impact on public discourse, freedoms of association, and expression, according to credible non-governmental organisations.
Media freedom and free expression continue to be under threat in Georgia, with journalists and citizens facing violence, intimidation, and unjust arrests. The report emphasises the need for Georgia to address these issues to strengthen its democratic environment and protect the rights and freedoms of its citizens.
[1] United States Department of State, 2024 Human Rights Report on Georgia [2] Human Rights Watch, Georgia: Human Rights Situation Remains Concerning [3] Amnesty International, Georgia: Persistent Human Rights Concerns Documented in 2024
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