Human Rights House Foundation statement
HRC60 – Item 4 – General Debate – Georgia
23 September 2025
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The High Commissioner’s report confirms what Georgian civil society has long warned: the most serious human rights challenges in Georgia are not only in the occupied territories but also in government-controlled areas.
Since the adoption of the “foreign influence” law, authorities have escalated harassment of NGOs through politically-motivated prosecutions and punitive financial measures. Bank accounts of leading organisations, including Human Rights House Tbilisi, Union Sapari, and ISFED, have been frozen, criminalising legitimate human rights work, even for those seeking to provide legal aid or medical supplies to protesters.
At the same time, the new Foreign Agents Registration Act threatens defenders and journalists with criminal liability and prison terms of up to five years. This mirrors the most repressive global trends and directly attacks freedoms of association and expression.
The High Commissioner has also documented torture and ill-treatment of protesters, arbitrary detention, and lack of accountability for police violence. Hundreds of demonstrators and journalists have faced beatings, threats, huge fines, and spurious charges, while courts consistently side with police testimony over clear evidence of abuse.
We therefore urge the Council to maintain scrutiny across all of Georgia. Continued reporting of the High Commissioner is essential, alongside robust engagement with authorities to repeal repressive laws, end politically-motivated prosecutions, and ensure accountability for violations.
Thank you.
