Human rights situation in Georgia deteriorating, according to American report
In a concerning revelation, the U.S. Department of State's 2024 Human Rights Report on Georgia outlines a significant deterioration in democracy, human rights, and media freedom during the year. The report highlights several key issues, including restrictive legislation, arbitrary arrests, impunity, and violence against journalists.
The enactment of the “Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence” and the “Law on Family Values and Protection of Minors” has severely restricted freedoms of expression and association in Georgia. Credible non-governmental organizations indicate that these laws criminalize certain types of expression and have a chilling effect on free speech and media freedom.
Freedom of expression and media in Georgia has faced serious restrictions. There were instances of intimidation, coercion, violence, threats against journalists and citizens, and unjustified arrests and prosecutions of journalists. These measures particularly intensified around the disputed October 2024 parliamentary elections.
Human rights abuses have also been documented. Credible reports of torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, arbitrary arrests and detentions were documented. While some officials responsible for abuses were investigated or punished, impunity remains a significant problem.
Freedom of association and assembly has also been affected. New legal amendments authorized preventive detention and imposed fines on activists for critical social media posts deemed insulting. Police also excessively interfered with peaceful assemblies and failed to adequately address police violence against protesters.
In the Russian-occupied territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, human rights violations such as arbitrary arrests committed with impunity by Russian and de facto authorities continue.
The report suggests that legislative changes in Georgia are linked to coercion, misuse of administrative resources, and political intimidation, particularly during the run-up to the October parliamentary elections. The 'Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence' reduces freedoms of association and expression, according to credible non-governmental organizations.
The report does not provide any projections or predictions about the future of democracy or human rights in Georgia or the occupied territories. It does not specify any actions taken by the Georgian government to address the concerns raised in the Human Rights Report. Neither does it mention any international efforts or sanctions aimed at addressing the human rights or democratic issues in Georgia or the occupied territories.
Despite these challenges, it is important to note that Georgian authorities occasionally investigate and punish certain officials for human rights violations. Journalists and citizens in Georgia face violence, intimidation, and unjust arrests, but media freedom and free expression are under threat. Conditions in the Russian-occupied regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia are concerning, with both territories remaining beyond the control of Georgia's central government.
In summary, the U.S. State Department’s 2024 report presents a restrictive environment for democracy and human rights in Georgia, with increased government control and legislative measures suppressing dissent, media freedom, and peaceful assembly, compounded by ongoing impunity and human rights violations especially in the occupied regions.
Political tensions and restrictions continue to escalate in Georgia, as highlighted by a chilling effect on free speech and media freedom due to the enactment of laws like the "Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence" and the "Law on Family Values and Protection of Minors." Furthermore, general news, crime and justice sectors have been affected by the significant deterioration in human rights, democratic processes, and media freedom, as outlined in the U.S Department of State's 2024 Human Rights Report on Georgia.
