Human Rights Watch Report Raises Alarm Over Georgia’s Shrinking Freedoms
A new report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) has sparked outrage over Georgia’s political climate, accusing the ruling Georgian Dream party of pushing the country toward authoritarianism. The report, part of the World Report 2025, paints a grim picture of the country’s human rights situation in 2024, highlighting significant setbacks in freedoms and democratic practices. It also serves as a rallying cry for opposition groups and protesters calling for new elections to oust the current government.
The assessment, which has been covered widely by international news outlets like Eurasianet, sheds light on a range of disturbing developments that critics say are undermining Georgia’s once-promising democratic trajectory. HRW outlines a series of repressive measures taken by the Georgian government, which it claims have not only stifled dissent but also violated basic freedoms of assembly, speech, and press.
Controversial Legislation and Growing Repression
One of the most alarming aspects of the report is its focus on recent legislation targeting the country’s civil society. HRW points to the controversial “foreign influence” law that aims to regulate the flow of foreign funds to non-governmental organizations (NGOs). This move has been met with widespread condemnation, with critics arguing that it is a thinly veiled attempt to silence dissenting voices and restrict civil liberties.
Another point of contention is a new anti-LGBT law, which has sparked outrage among human rights advocates. This legislation has been seen as discriminatory and an attack on the rights of Georgia’s LGBTQ community, further alienating minority groups and activists.
HRW has also expressed concerns over the government’s growing use of force to suppress protests. Mass demonstrations have been taking place across Georgia, particularly after the ruling party halted the country’s EU accession talks in late November 2024. These protests, which have often been nonviolent, were met with harsh tactics by the police, including the use of tear gas, water cannons, and pepper spray.
Police Violence and Suppression of Protests
The HRW report details how Georgian police employed “excessive force” against demonstrators, many of whom were simply exercising their right to protest. During large protests outside the Georgian parliament building, numerous journalists and media representatives were injured due to the police’s aggressive actions. The report notes that police actions were often disproportionate and targeted peaceful protesters.
HRW also accuses the authorities of manipulating the justice system to suppress dissent. Hundreds of people were arrested on minor charges during the protests, and many faced fines after brief, seemingly superficial court hearings. This judicial crackdown is seen as part of a broader effort to intimidate and silence opposition, raising questions about the independence of Georgia’s courts.
Allegations of Violence and Intimidation Against Opposition
The report also highlights the increasing use of violence and intimidation by Georgian Dream-backed groups against political opponents. Human rights organizations have documented multiple incidents of physical attacks on government critics, including beatings that resulted in hospitalization. Despite these incidents, no arrests have been made, leading many to believe that the violence is being tacitly approved or even orchestrated by the ruling party.
These incidents are particularly concerning in light of Georgia’s history as a post-Soviet state that has struggled to establish a firm democracy. While the country has made notable progress in its transition from a totalitarian regime, the current political climate raises fears that these hard-won gains could be undone under the influence of an increasingly authoritarian government.
A Call for Change: Can Georgia Reverse Course?
Despite the bleak assessment, HRW’s director for Europe and Central Asia, Hugh Williamson, maintains that it is not too late for Georgia to reverse its course. “The government is relentlessly taking the country into a repressive era that is uncharted for Georgia but all too familiar in authoritarian states,” he said in a statement. “But it is never too late for it to reverse course, drop repressive laws, allow freedom of assembly, stop violence against protesters, and hold police accountable.”
This statement reflects a growing sentiment among many Georgian citizens who feel that the country’s democracy is under threat. For them, the 2024 parliamentary elections represent not just a political contest, but a fight for the very future of Georgia’s freedoms.
Human Rights Watch’s findings have provided a significant boost for opposition groups who have been calling for new elections to remove Georgian Dream from power. With protests continuing to take place in cities across the country, it remains to be seen whether the ruling party will heed international calls for reform or continue on its path toward authoritarianism.
