Transparency International Georgia: Georgian Dream-controlled parliament has transformed into a body that blindly executes the will of the ruling party, enacting severe and liberty-restricting laws in accordance with the interests of the oligarch

Georgian Dream continues to adopt repressive legislation aimed at restricting fundamental human rights, dismantling civil society, eliminating parliamentary oversight, and fully subordinating state institutions to the party, reads a report published by Transparency International relating to the legislative amendments that have been enacted since April 2025.­

“The Georgian Dream-controlled parliament, which, according to the Constitution, should represent one of the branches of power and serve as a check on the executive branch, has transformed into a body that blindly executes the will of the ruling party, enacting severe and liberty-restricting laws in accordance with the interests of the oligarch.

With the adopted and proposed amendments:

Georgian Dream has tailored the Law on Freedom of Speech and Expression to its own interests and abolished essential guarantees of constitutional rights. In defamation disputes, the burden of proof in court is placed on the defendant rather than the plaintiff. A journalist may be held liable simply for failing to disclose the source of information. The law will have retroactive effect and will apply to statements made up to 100 days prior to its entry into force.

Access to court decisions has been restricted, and the concept of “contempt of court” has been broadened. Any opinion or protest expressed in any form against the court or a judge in any public space, including social media, may lead to liability. Video or audio recording of court proceedings is permitted only with the consent of the High Council of Justice.

Failure to pay a fine imposed for blocking a road during a protest, disobeying a police officer, petty hooliganism, or insulting a political figure will result in imprisonment;

Repressive amendments to the Criminal Code, which also have retroactive effect, may prohibit convicted individuals (including those convicted of less serious offenses) from leaving the country;

The victim will have the right to demand compensation not only from the perpetrator of the crime but also from related persons (including family members), and to request the confiscation of their property;

A convicted individual who has not fulfilled their obligation to pay compensation to the victim will be prohibited from receiving assistance from a friend, relative, or family member exceeding twice the subsistence minimum;

In criminal proceedings, a court decision may be based on the testimony of an anonymous witness, along with other evidence;

Georgian Dream has effectively abolished parliamentary oversight, which was already non-functional under the one-party system, and has halved the workload of MPs despite increased salaries;

Georgian Dream has subjected the receipt of grants by NGOs to government discretion and has already adopted a fourth consecutive law, nearly all under expedited procedures, aimed at dismantling NGOs;

Repression in the public sector continues, with the closure of multiple LEPLs, resulting in dozens of job losses;

The Special Investigation Service, whose primary function was to investigate crimes committed by law enforcement officers, has been abolished;

The expulsion of foreigners from Georgia has been simplified, a measure the government mainly uses against foreigners critical of Georgian Dream”, reads the report.

According to the organization, members of Georgian Dream have introduced amendments to the Law on Freedom of Speech and Expression that directly contradict the freedom of speech and opinion guaranteed by the Constitution of Georgia and fundamental international principles, while abolishing key safeguards for freedom of expression.

Georgian Dream has introduced amendments to the Law “On Common Courts,” in what appears to be a deliberate attempt by the ruling party to formalize its control over the judiciary and dismantle public oversight mechanisms. The proposed amendments represent a serious regression in terms of the transparency and independence of the judiciary, further transforming the courts whose independence is already in question into even more closed institutions. The closure of court proceedings and the restriction of access to court decisions significantly undermine public mechanisms for judicial oversight.

“On May 13, 2025, Georgian Dream deputies endorsed a new draft of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament, effectively abolishing parliamentary oversight and citizen participation in the legislative process. Councils established to protect the rights of women and children were dissolved, and the functions and workload of parliamentary committees were halved. These changes occurred against the backdrop of significant salary increases for members of parliament in 2025 the current base salary is 11,680 GEL, with additional increments for officeholders (e.g., committee chairs earn 12,556 GEL, and the parliamentary chair earns 14,600 GEL). At the same time, parliamentarians secured the right to hire additional assistants to enhance their own comfort.

Under the new regulations, Parliament has effectively relinquished its primary role: oversight of the executive. Even prior to these changes, the Georgian Dream majority rarely employed oversight mechanisms effectively. Ministerial scrutiny, thematic investigations, councils, and committees functioned largely as formalities without delivering substantive accountability. The new Rules of Procedure merely codify what has long been evident that Georgian Dream deputies prioritize their political comfort over transparency or public engagement: more salaries, more assistants, expanded social benefits, and less actual work. Accordingly, they reshaped parliamentary procedures to serve their own interests favoring formality, isolation, and unchecked exercise of power”, reads the document.