In Geneva, at the session of the UN Human Rights Council, the report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, on the human rights situation in Georgia was presented.

The report on cooperation with Georgia was presented by the Director of the Global Operations Division of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Maarit Kohonen Sheriff.

“The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights notes the development of legislative and political events in Georgia, which cause serious concern from a human rights perspective. In 2025, the adoption of legislation that restricts civic space and undermines the right to peaceful assembly continued. The Office remains concerned about reports of human rights violations in the context of protest rallies, which include arbitrary arrests, ill-treatment, and disproportionate use of force against demonstrators and journalists,” Maarit Kohonen Sheriff stated.

According to her, OHCHR calls on the Georgian authorities to investigate all allegations of the commission of crimes.

“The Office notes the response from the authorities, including the arrest in May of this year of five current and former law enforcement officers in connection with alleged acts of violence against demonstrators in 2024. OHCHR calls on the authorities to conduct prompt, independent, and detailed investigations into all such allegations, to ensure accountability, and to guarantee a fully fair trial, mechanisms guaranteeing due process, and the possibility of judicial review,” Maarit Kohonen Sheriff noted.

Let us remind you that the report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, addresses recommendations to the Government of Georgia, which concern the protection of the right to peaceful assembly and “serious allegations of human rights violations” that the Government of Georgia “must respond to.”

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights calls for a review of the legislation adopted in the recent period.

OHCHR calls on the Government of Georgia to restore a conducive environment for civil society by ensuring that any restrictions on the receipt of foreign support by non-governmental organizations and broadcasters are strictly limited to necessity and proportionality.

“OHCHR recognizes the ongoing cooperation with the Government of Georgia, including hosting OHCHR in Tbilisi. OHCHR remains committed to supporting the Government and national actors in addressing human rights issues, including those identified in the report.

OHCHR recommends that the Government of Georgia:- Present concrete measures to protect and advance the right to peaceful assembly and respond to serious allegations of human rights violations noted in the OHCHR report for the period from 1 June 2023 to 31 December 2024. In particular, those that occurred in the context of public protests, including unlawful arrests of demonstrators and unnecessary or disproportionate use of force against journalists and media workers;- Conduct prompt, independent, and detailed investigations into all such allegations, ensure accountability, and guarantee a fully fair trial, mechanisms guaranteeing due process, and the possibility of judicial review;- Review the amendments made in 2025 to the Broadcasting Law, the Criminal Code, the Law on Grants, the Law on Assembly and Demonstrations, and the Code of Administrative Offences to ensure their full compliance with international human rights law, in particular Articles 19, 20, and 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and ensure that all legislative processes are conducted with full transparency and meaningful public participation;- Strengthen efforts to combat gender discrimination and violence and promote gender equality in Georgia’s political representation, including by reviewing gender-related legislative changes adopted in 2025;- Restore a conducive environment for civil society by ensuring that any restrictions on the receipt of foreign support by non-governmental organizations and broadcasters are strictly limited to necessity and proportionality and are in line with international human rights obligations.”

The current lack of access for international and regional human rights bodies and mechanisms to Abkhazia and “South Ossetia” remains regrettable. OHCHR continues to call for immediate and unimpeded access for all relevant bodies, including OHCHR itself.

OHCHR also issues recommendations regarding the human rights situation in occupied Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights “calls on all parties involved: to lift restrictions on movement and open all checkpoints along administrative boundaries; to respond to reports of human rights violations, particularly those affecting ethnic Georgians in the Gali and Akhalgori districts and internally displaced persons; to promote dialogue and ensure that international organizations can work freely.”

“Parties should investigate all violations of the right to life, torture or ill-treatment, ensure accountability for perpetrators, and provide appropriate compensation to victims; eliminate arbitrary deprivation of liberty with full respect for international legal standards,” the report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights states.