Amnesty International has raised concerns about the treatment of women protesters in Georgia, highlighting incidents of intimidation, harassment, and gender-based violence reportedly carried out by state authorities. In a statement released last Friday, the rights organization detailed a pattern of abuse that includes not only verbal threats and sexist insults but also instances of physical and psychological violence.
The increase in gender-based reprisals against women involved in protests corresponds with a connected rise in arbitrary searches and stop-and-search measures employed by police. According to Amnesty, these actions extend to unlawful strip searches and threats of sexual violence, seeking to dissuade continued demonstrations against the government.
Amnesty International asserts that these actions contravene international human rights legislation, specifically pointing to breaches of the prohibition against torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The organization also referenced the Bangkok Rules, which outline standards for searching women prisoners.
In response, Denis Krivosheev, Amnesty’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia Deputy Director, stated that these acts of repression might have been intended to break the resistance spirit among protesters. However, he noted that instead of silencing opposition, these actions have incited stronger public denouncements and calls for justice, with women showing resilience in the face of adversity.
The organization has called upon the Georgian government to adhere strictly to international human rights standards and to pursue thorough investigations into all reports of police misconduct. These recommendations come amidst accusations of human rights violations tied to recently intensified anti-government protests following legislative changes and controversial governmental actions.
Georgia’s troubling direction in human rights has drawn international attention, with EU and US leaders actively denouncing ongoing government crackdowns. Amid this international scrutiny, the Georgian government faces increasing pressure to align its domestic policies with global human rights norms, as established in their own Constitution.