Calls for independent investigations after allegations of excessive force, torture, and arbitrary detention during November and December 2024 protests
On January 28, 2025, United Nations human rights experts issued a strong statement calling for the Georgian government to investigate allegations of excessive police force during protests in late 2024. The experts raised serious concerns over reports of torture, ill-treatment, and arbitrary detentions during demonstrations that shook Tbilisi and other regions in November and December. The call comes as pressure mounts for Georgia to ensure accountability and prevent further violence during future demonstrations.
The UN’s Human Rights Council experts are urging Georgian authorities to authorize an independent, impartial, and transparent investigation into the claims. This request follows disturbing reports from protesters and journalists who faced brutal treatment at the hands of security forces. As the tension between demonstrators and law enforcement escalated, several international human rights organizations raised alarms about the escalating repression.
UN Experts Demand Transparent, Internationally Standardized Investigation
The UN experts stressed the importance of an investigation that meets international standards. “Given the gravity of these events,” they said in their statement, “we expect the Georgian authorities to take immediate action to ensure that investigations are carried out effectively and transparently.” The experts also highlighted the importance of ensuring that those detained without just cause be freed and given appropriate medical attention, where necessary.
The force used by police has raised alarm among human rights groups around the globe. It is reported that in several instances, rubber bullets, pepper spray, water cannons, and other chemical irritants were deployed indiscriminately on peaceful demonstrators. Some protesters were reportedly shot in the head or face, and hundreds were injured in the clashes. The experts also urged that the police adopt a more cautious approach in future events, prioritizing human rights while still maintaining order.
Calls for Accountability and Protection of Journalists
Alongside concerns about excessive force, the UN also noted reports of media workers being targeted by security forces. The experts highlighted that journalists should never be subject to arbitrary detention or violence while performing their duties. With the escalating protests in Georgia, independent media outlets played a vital role in documenting police actions and speaking out against alleged abuses. Several media workers reportedly faced unlawful detention and physical harm while trying to cover the events.
The statement from the UN experts emphasized that the right to peaceful protest is a fundamental freedom. They reminded Georgian authorities that international law obligates them to safeguard this right, ensuring that all protests are carried out in accordance with democratic principles.
Pressure on Georgian Government to Act
Following the UN’s appeal, many international human rights organizations have echoed the call for an urgent investigation into the police’s conduct during the protests. The experts have vowed to continue monitoring the situation closely and are prepared to press for further action if the government does not meet expectations for transparency and justice.
This situation marks a critical moment for Georgia as it strives to balance maintaining order with respecting human rights. If the Georgian government fails to act on the UN’s call for independent investigations, it risks damaging its international reputation and deepening domestic unrest.
The UN’s call for action is just the beginning of what could be a protracted period of scrutiny for Georgian authorities. Human rights groups, both domestic and international, are closely watching to see whether the government will fulfill its obligations to protect its citizens’ rights to free speech and peaceful assembly. The outcome of these investigations will have significant implications for Georgia’s future and its relationship with the international community.
