OSCE report: Human rights situation in Georgia has worsened since spring 2024

An OSCE Moscow Mechanism report on the developments in Georgia in respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms since spring 2024 was presented at the meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council on 12 March. It offers recommendations to the Georgian authorities, the OSCE participating States and the international community on how to address problems of democracy, the rule of law and human rights.

The Moscow Mechanism report assesses the impact of recent developments in Georgia on civil society, the freedom of the media, the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, and political pluralism. Its main finding is that a marked democratic backsliding has taken place in Georgia since spring 2024.

Drawing on interviews with experts, the report found that violence against protesters, leaders of political opposition and journalists is recurrent. Violent assaults have been committed against government critics in public places and in broad daylight, often combined with impunity of perpetrators. In some instances, the violence has even reached the threshold of torture, according to the report.

The report found that the Georgian authorities have introduced legislation to restrict space for civil society and limit the freedom of expression and the freedoms of assembly and association. They have also sought to repress political opponents, silence independent media and target minorities.

The report makes several recommendations to the Georgian authorities, the OSCE participating States and the international community. The Georgian authorities are especially advised to hold free elections, safeguard fundamental rights and strengthen accountability. The international community is urged to support human rights defenders and civil society organisations that promote and protect human rights in Georgia.

Finland and 22 other participating States invoked the Moscow Mechanism in January 2026. The report was prepared by an independent expert appointed under the Mechanism.

What is the Moscow Mechanism?

The Moscow Mechanism is an OSCE instrument for assessing the implementation of OSCE human rights commitments in participating States.

Reports prepared under the Mechanism provide an independent expert assessment and recommendations for the information of the participating States and the public.

The Mechanism supports dialogue and a cooperative assessment of the commitments within the OSCE.

Previous mechanisms invoked on the human rights situation in Georgia

In December 2024, 38 participating States invoked the OSCE Vienna Mechanism over the human rights situation in Georgia. The aim was to get information about the human rights situation in Georgia and to launch a dialogue between the participating States and the Georgian authorities.

However, a more thorough and independent assessment is required, especially to examine police violence and accountability during demonstrations and to assess wider developments in the freedom of assembly, the freedom of expression and the treatment of political opposition. The newly completed Moscow Mechanism report continues this process by providing an independent assessment of developments in Georgia.