Twenty-four participating States of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) have issued a joint statement calling on the Georgian government to fully implement the recommendations of the 2026 Moscow Mechanism report, warning of what they describe as “democratic backsliding” in the country.
The statement, released on behalf of the United Kingdom and 23 other countries, urges the Georgian authorities to reverse the reported deterioration in democratic standards and to engage constructively with the findings of the OSCE rapporteur.
Signatories claim that the Moscow Mechanism report provides a “detailed and credible assessment” of developments in Georgia since spring 2024 and offers recommendations addressed not only to the Georgian government but also to other OSCE participating States and the broader international community.
At the same time, the countries welcomed the Georgian authorities’ decision to facilitate a country visit by the rapporteur and to organize high-level meetings with government institutions. The statement encourages Tbilisi to continue this engagement and to treat the rapporteur’s findings as a foundation for dialogue and reform.
The report’s central conclusion, the statement notes, is clear: “a marked democratic backsliding has taken place in Georgia.”
Based on the report, there has been a pattern of violence and other abuses against protesters, political opponents, and journalists. It also refers to what the rapporteur describes as “almost complete impunity of perpetrators.”
The report further states that in some cases the treatment of detainees “has arguably reached the threshold of torture,” while investigations into allegations of ill-treatment have been ineffective.
The OSCE countries outlined several key steps they believe the Georgian authorities should take in response.
First, they say law enforcement agencies must act in accordance with international standards and conduct “prompt, independent, and impartial investigations” into allegations of torture and ill-treatment, ensuring accountability for those responsible.
Second, the statement calls on Georgia to repeal or fundamentally revise legislation deemed incompatible with international human rights obligations. This includes laws related to foreign influence transparency, foreign agents registration, and amendments affecting grants, broadcasting, and political participation. The rapporteur concluded that such laws cannot be brought into compliance through minor amendments alone.
In this context, the signatories also encourage the Georgian authorities to restore cooperation with the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the Venice Commission, and to fully implement their recommendations.
Third, the countries call on the authorities to refrain from arbitrary detention or prosecution of political opponents, journalists, and other participants in public debate, withdraw charges they say were brought arbitrarily, and release all individuals detained for political reasons.
Fourth, the statement urges the Georgian government to halt efforts to ban opposition parties, withdraw pending legal applications in this regard, and ensure that political pluralism is fully respected.
Finally, the report highlights the need to restore public trust in the judiciary by strengthening judicial independence, guaranteeing fair trial standards, and reforming institutions such as the High Council of Justice in line with longstanding OSCE and Venice Commission recommendations.
The joint statement was issued on behalf of the participating States that invoked paragraph 12 of the Moscow Mechanism with regard to Georgia. The countries include Albania, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden, Ukraine and the United Kingdom, as well as Poland.
