Amid rising tensions over democratic practices in Georgia, Amnesty International has sharply criticized the recent actions of Georgian authorities. The controversy stems from the summoning of prominent human rights activist Ucha Nanuashvili by the State Security Service following his involvement in a report issued by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). The global rights group condemned this move, describing it as an attempt to suppress voices critical of the state and calling it “a witch-hunt.” These actions align with claims from the OSCE report, which underlined significant setbacks in democratic freedoms in Georgia since spring 2024.
Denis Krivosheev, Eastern Europe and Central Asia Deputy Director at Amnesty International, emphasized that the authorities’ actions validate the concerns raised by the OSCE. He urged the Georgian government to halt the intimidation of human rights defenders and to ensure they can communicate freely with international bodies without fear of reprisals. Nanuashvili’s questioning on March 17 highlights a broader trend of civil society representatives facing heightened scrutiny and pressure in Georgia.
Alongside these developments, Amnesty International noted a troubling pattern: numerous investigators and human rights advocates who have reported on the nation’s human rights landscape are finding themselves embroiled in criminal inquiries. This environment of growing hostility towards civil society is compounded by the recent cessation of the legal aid program by the Georgian Young Lawyers Association, a decision forced by ongoing government pressures. Furthermore, new legislation restricting foreign funding for civil initiatives has drawn widespread condemnation, including concerns expressed by the United Nations reported by Jurist.
The OSCE report itself is a comprehensive document that sheds light on multiple issues, including restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly, alleged mistreatment of protestors, and instances of politically-motivated detentions. As tensions rise, the developments pose significant questions about Georgia’s commitment to democratic norms and human rights, creating potential roadblocks for its international relations, especially with entities like the European Union.
This situation places Georgia at a critical juncture, where the international community is closely monitoring its adherence to democratic principles and human rights standards, reflecting broader regional concerns about political freedoms and civil liberties in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.