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“The Georgian Dream government is still sensitive to international pressure. It is still acting as though international legitimacy is important and responding to international monitoring and reporting. But this window will close and the international community will lose some of its leverage. This is the moment to apply maximal pressure,” writes HRHF’s Head of Advocacy Dave Elseroad in New Eastern Europe.

In May 2025, Human Rights House Tbilisi (HRHT) was forced to suspend all activities as a result of the ongoing crackdown on civil society in Georgia. This follows the Georgian authorities’ decision in March to freeze all of HRHT’s bank accounts.

On the sidelines of HRC60, Human Rights House Foundation urged the UN Human Rights Council to maintain scrutiny on Georgia, arguing that continued reporting from the High Commissioner is essential, alongside robust engagement with authorities to repeal repressive laws, end politically-motivated prosecutions, and ensure accountability for violations.

Human Rights House Foundation strongly urged the renewal of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Russia at HRC60, calling the mandate indispensable. Outlining the situation for human rights in the country, HRHF raised “foreign agent” legislation and its destructive impact on civil society, as well over 1000 political prisoners as recognised by Memorial.

Human Rights House Foundation and several international NGOs call on UN Human Rights Council member and observer states to support the renewal of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation during the Council’s 60th session.

During the 2025 Democracy Defender Award seminar in Vienna, HRHF issued recommendations to OSCE States on how to address shrinking space for civil society. HRHF Congratulates Georgian Young Lawyer’s Association for the well-deserved recognition of their commitment to advancing democracy and human rights in Georgia.

At HRC58, Human Rights House Foundation urged the Georgian authorities to immediately end repression against civil society and to meaningfully engage with the Special Rapporteur’s recommendations and uphold its obligations under international human rights law.

On 27 February 2025, Human Rights House Foundation hosted a side event at the 58th session of the Human Rights Council alongside OMCT and IRCT. This side event provided an update on the deteriorating situation in Georgia including new reporting by Georgian and international civil society organisations.

Unprecedented peaceful protests in Georgia are being met with unprecedented levels of violence and brutality according to Georgian human rights defender and psychologist Lela Tsiskarishvili. In this interview with Human Rights House Foundation, Tsiskarishvili outlines the use of torture and ill-treatment against peaceful protesters in the context of the current situation in Georgia as well as reflecting on her work rehabilitating survivors and the resilience of those she helps.