Human Rights Watch: Human Rights Situation in Georgia Has Deteriorated Sharply

In its report, Human Rights Watch (HRW) noted a "sharp deterioration" in the human rights situation in Georgia through 2025. The document highlights a number of problems.

The first is the adoption of repressive laws. HRW notes the adoption of the "Foreign Influence Transparency" and "Grants" laws, characterizing them as targeting civil society, independent media, and peaceful protests.

The second problem is police brutality and impunity. The report mentions cases of excessive force used by security forces against demonstrators, as well as reports of threats, torture, and sexual violence. HRW emphasizes that many police officers escaped punishment, while protesters faced superficial or fabricated charges in court.

The third issue is the stalled progress of European integration. HRW notes the de facto halt in Georgia's European integration process, citing the European Union's demand to repeal "repressive laws."

Furthermore, politically motivated persecution has been reported. Opposition leaders and journalists have been arrested and sentenced to prison terms on politically motivated charges.

HRW emphasizes that these measures are aimed at suppressing dissent and are contrary to Georgia's international human rights obligations.

Последние новости
Council of Europe Calls for Review of Anar Mammadli’s Sentence
Human rights
Council of Europe Calls for Review of Anar Mammadli’s Sentence
11 September 2026

Representatives of the Council of Europe have called on Azerbaijani authorities to release human rights defender Anar Mammadli, who was sentenced to 13 years in prison. Specifically, PACE rapporteur on political prisoners Azadeh Rojhan asserts that his prosecution is political in nature and that fundamental principles of a fair trial were violated during the proceedings.

Pashinyan: Armenia to continue seeking alternative gas sources regardless of Russian gas price
Politics
Pashinyan: Armenia to continue seeking alternative gas sources regardless of Russian gas price
11 September 2026

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that the country will continue to seek alternative sources of gas, regardless of whether the cost of Russian supplies changes.

Memorial has recognized a Romanian national—detained in Abkhazia and convicted of espionage in Russia—as a political prisoner
Human rights
Memorial has recognized a Romanian national—detained in Abkhazia and convicted of espionage in Russia—as a political prisoner
11 September 2026

The Memorial Human Rights Center has designated Romanian national Adrian-David Kercho a political prisoner; he is currently serving a 15-year sentence in a maximum-security penal colony for espionage on behalf of Ukraine. The Krasnodar Regional Court handed down the verdict in March 2026, and an appeal in June upheld both the sentence and the criminal classification. Human rights defenders consider the case politically motivated and are calling for his release.

Georgian Interior Ministry Opens Case Against Blogger Over Profane Comment About Simonyan and Solovyov
Politics
Georgian Interior Ministry Opens Case Against Blogger Over Profane Comment About Simonyan and Solovyov
11 September 2026

The Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs has initiated administrative proceedings against journalist Tornike Razmadze. The agency states that he is accused of insulting the country's Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, on social media. The case was opened under Article 166 (petty hooliganism) and Article 173 (disobedience to police orders), which carry penalties of a fine of up to 3,000 lari or up to 20 days in detention. The case is scheduled to be heard by the Tbilisi City Court on September 29.