Human Rights House Foundation statement
HRC61 – Item 10 – General Debate – Georgia
27 March 2026
Time limit: 1 minute 30 seconds
High Commissioner’s oral update
Moscow Mechanism report on Georgia
Check against delivery.
Thank you Vice-President.
And we take this opportunity to thank the Deputy High Commissioner for her work and wish her all the best for the future.
Vice-President.
The update of the High Commissioner’s office on Georgia comes at a time of deepening repression and rising authoritarianism, not just in the occupied regions, but in government-controlled territory as well.
The recently published and independent OSCE Moscow Mechanism report on Georgia described a pattern of violence against protesters, journalists, and political opponents, in some cases reaching the threshold of torture, together with near-total impunity for those responsible.
Repressive laws that criminalise solidarity and civic work, as well as draconian restrictions on the right to protest are being used alongside prosecutions, detentions, financial pressure, and intimidation to crush dissent.
Human Rights House Tbilisi has effectively been shut down. Its bank accounts were frozen last year, forcing it to suspend activities, as it faces criminal investigation. In addition, high ranking authorities in Georgia continue to disparage the work of human rights defenders, including Baia Pataraia, the head of Union Sapari.
Finally, we remain concerned by credible allegations that chemical agents have been used against peaceful protesters. In this regard, States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention should consider referring Georgia through the OPCW.
Thank you.
