This process will have long-term and serious consequences for the Georgian Dream regime, - Zura Girchi Japaridze, one of the leaders of the Coalition for Change, said regarding the launch of the Moscow Mechanism.

As he told journalists, according to preliminary information, this is a clear message that human rights violations in Georgia are systemic.

“The implementation of this OSCE mechanism is in a real and crucial phase. This is a clear message that human rights violations in Georgia are not isolated cases and are systemic in nature. This is a message, among others, that from the point of view of the international community, Georgia no longer has domestic legal and institutional mechanisms to conduct an independent and credible investigation in the country. This OSCE mechanism is one of the strictest instruments used in countries in cases of large-scale and serious violations of human rights, when the state does not show any will or desire to take responsibility or conduct an investigation. This mechanism involves the involvement of independent investigative experts without the consent of the government, which means that when the OSCE experts begin the investigation, no one will ask the Georgian Dream anything, they will still conduct the investigation regardless of the position of the regime representatives in this regard. The OSCE experts will assess the facts and events according to international standards.

The report of the “Moscow Mechanism” will be independent, objective, public and outside the control of the authorities. According to the preliminary information available to us, this report will reflect the excessive use of force against peaceful protests, as well as information on arbitrary detention, ill-treatment, politicization of institutions, an unprecedented increase in the number of political and prisoners of conscience. The use of chemical weapons and systemic signs of democratic regression.

The report of this OSCE mechanism does not remain just a document. This document is ultimately used by the OSCE, the Council of Europe and various institutions of the European Union, which in turn become the basis for restrictions, sanctions and political decisions. As a rule, this document becomes the basis for a change in policy towards the country in relation to which it is drawn up. In this case, it will be Georgia. That is why this process will have long-term and serious consequences for the Georgian Dream regime,” Japaridze said.

For information, 24 OSCE member states are creating an expert mission due to the deteriorating human rights situation in Georgia.

The statement notes that the 24 countries have activated the OSCE’s “Moscow Mechanism” to create an expert mission due to the deteriorating human rights situation in Georgia.

They also call on Georgia to cooperate and facilitate the work of the mission.