Georgian authorities are intensifying their use of recent restrictions on public assemblies to arbitrarily detain and harass peaceful demonstrators, according to recent findings. Human Rights Watch highlights how these measures are effectively undermining the right to protest and the freedom of assembly. The legal amendments, enacted in December 2025, grant law enforcement extensive discretion to regulate assemblies not only on roadways but also on sidewalks and pedestrian zones. As a result, organizers must now notify authorities five days before a protest, with police empowered to dictate the location and timing. Noncompliance can result in detention of up to 20 days for organizers, with repeated violations risking criminal charges. More details can be read at JURIST.
Since the law’s implementation, police have pursued numerous cases against demonstrators for minor infractions, such as protesting on sidewalks near government buildings. An example includes a 35-year-old protester who was sentenced to four days’ detention for allegedly obstructing pedestrian movement, despite scant evidence. Similarly, other protesters have faced short detentions under comparable conditions, with ongoing proceedings expected.
Legal representatives for the protesters have criticized the authorities for frequently failing to identify whom the protesters allegedly obstructed or clarify the exact areas that must be vacated. This reliance on vague instructions and insufficient evidence has, in some cases, led judges to refer administrative cases for further investigation, potentially opening up individuals to criminal prosecution on uncertain grounds.
The police maintain that detentions are not for peaceful assembly but rather for deliberately obstructing pedestrian paths—an assertion that reportedly remains unsubstantiated by available evidence. The situation raises significant concerns given Georgia’s obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights, ensuring freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Restrictions must adhere to being lawful, necessary, and proportionate, with due process protections even if the offense is categorized as administrative.
The rights group has called on the Georgian Parliament to amend or repeal provisions that unjustifiably constrain peaceful assembly. Additionally, law enforcement and the judiciary are urged to respect international standards in their enforcement practices. Meanwhile, OC Media has reported a mounting backlash against these laws, with citizens expressing concerns over the shrinking space for dissent and public discourse amid an increasingly restrictive political atmosphere.