OSCE Moscow Mechanism report warns human rights situation worsening in Georgia

Georgia 12.03.2026 OSCE Moscow Mechanism report warns of worsening human rights situation in Georgia Tbilisi

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has published a report under the Moscow Mechanism, indicating a deterioration in human rights and fundamental freedoms within Georgia. This nearly 217-page report, detailing developments from early 2024 to the present, highlights democratic backsliding, the declining state of human and media freedom, and the prosecution of protest participants and opposition figures. Concerns include the repression of dissent, the existence of political prisoners, and the adoption of restrictive legislation.

The document offers recommendations for the Georgian authorities, OSCE participating states, and the wider international community. Professor Patricia Grzebyk authored the report, commissioned under the OSCE’s Moscow Mechanism, which allows states to appoint an independent expert when serious human rights violations are suspected. Twenty-four states, including Germany and the United Kingdom, triggered the mechanism in January, following a 14-day mission to Georgia where the expert assessed developments since spring 2024.

The OSCE has previously utilized this mechanism in cases involving attacks on civilians, such as in Croatia and Bosnia, and situations in Turkmenistan, Belarus, and Chechnya. The report notes persistent violence against protesters, opposition figures, and journalists, sometimes escalating to torture with impunity. Harsh rhetoric from government-affiliated figures fuels this climate, alongside concerns about the right to a fair trial for those facing criminalization for expressing opposing views.

Unidentified groups further contribute to a climate of impunity. The report strongly condemns the disproportionate use of physical force, particularly torture, and calls for immediate investigations into allegations of ill-treatment. Furthermore, the report identifies legislative changes, including the “Transparency of Foreign Influence” law and the “Foreign Agents Registration Act,” as restricting freedom of expression and assembly, targeting civil society, independent media, and the LGBT+ community through administrative detentions and criminal cases.

Recommendations include ensuring free and fair elections, suspending the banning of opposition parties, repealing restrictive legislation, and guaranteeing judicial independence. The situation regarding human rights in Georgia remains a significant concern, demanding urgent action to protect fundamental freedoms.

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