Human rights in Georgia were severely curtailed by repressive actions and laws in 2025, according to the European Union's Annual Report on Human Rghts and Democracy.

According to the report, ill-treatment of protest participants by law enforcement forces, in some cases amounting to torture or inhuman and degrading treatment, was widespread in 2025

“Human rights were severely curtailed by repressive actions and laws that infringe upon fundamental rights, including equality and nondiscrimination, the freedom of expression, assembly and association, as well as the right to privacy, family life, liberty and security. Ill-treatment of protest participants by law enforcement forces, in some cases amounting to torture or inhuman and degrading treatment, was widespread in 2025.

No perpetrators were held accountable, fostering an environment of impunity. Cases of arbitrary detentions, excessive use of pre-trial detention and the disproportionately harsh sentencing of protesters and journalists raise concerns about the right to fair trial. Instances of physical assaults, sexual harassment, and threats of rape or death by law enforcement officials directed at women participating in demonstrations were reported. The new legislation, including amendments to the Law on broadcasting, the Foreign Agents Registration Act and the legislative package on family values and protection of minors, negatively affected the right to freedom of expression and the ability of the media to operate freely. Acts of intimidation, threats and verbal and physical assault, arbitrary detentions against journalists and media workers were widely reported.

The state of democracy in Georgia was marked by significant backsliding. The Georgian authorities imposed repressive measures against civil society, media representatives and opposition leaders that severely undermine democratic decision-making and processes and effectively abolished civic participation and the system of checks and balances. By freezing the bank accounts of several CSOs, the justice system was used by the authorities as a tool of repression and political persecution, to deprive the organisations of essential financial resources and silence dissenting voices. Civil society and critical voices also faced intimidation, with hostile rhetoric, threats and violence becoming more prevalent. Political pluralism has been at risk as the ruling party seeks a Constitutional Court ban on several opposition parties. The politically motivated persecution against civil society and arrests of opposition leaders went against basic democratic values”, reads the report.