The international human rights organization Amnesty International has published its annual report on the state of human rights in the world, covering 144 countries, including Georgia.
The report, released on April 21, says governments and other actors carried out widespread human rights violations in 2025, amid growing authoritarianism, systemic injustice and a lack of accountability.
Amnesty International says human rights conditions are deteriorating globally, threatening decades of progress in the field.
Georgia: crackdown on protests and civil society
The section on Georgia focuses on developments following the November 2024 protests, triggered by the government’s decision to postpone EU accession talks until 2028, as well as the adoption of the so-called “foreign agents” law.
Amnesty says freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association were “severely restricted”, with repressive legislation, unfair trials and police impunity enabling state pressure.
Peaceful demonstrators, journalists, opposition figures and activists were arbitrarily detained, tortured and ill-treated, while women protesters were reportedly subjected to gender-based violence.
Human rights defenders, NGOs and independent media also faced harassment, including asset freezes and regulatory pressure.
Restrictions on protest and mass arrests
The report says legislative amendments adopted in late 2024 introduced heavy fines for peaceful protest actions, including wearing masks, setting up tents, or blocking roads.
A wider legal package passed on October 17 further expanded police powers, allowing arrests for such actions, with penalties of up to 15 days in prison and up to two years for repeat offences.
More than 100 people were arrested in the week after the changes were adopted, while activists and journalists were subjected to searches and confiscation of protest materials.
Allegations of torture and ill-treatment
Amnesty International reports repeated cases of police brutality, including beatings during arrest and in custody. Detainees were allegedly denied access to lawyers, family members and emergency medical care.
Unidentified plainclothes individuals also attacked protesters and journalists, with authorities failing to intervene.
Unlawful use of force
Police used tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons to disperse demonstrations throughout the year, leaving hundreds injured, including fractures and concussions. More than 100 journalists were reportedly injured.
Following a protest on October 4, special forces carried out raids and detained more than 60 people, while no officers were held accountable by year’s end.
The report also highlights an investigation into allegations that water cannons contained banned toxic chemicals, saying authorities targeted individuals who provided evidence instead of examining the claims.
Arbitrary detention and unfair trials
Amnesty says arbitrary arrests of protesters, journalists and opposition figures became routine, with courts often refusing bail and trials marked by procedural violations.
The report highlights the case of journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, who was sentenced to two years in prison in August after being detained twice during a protest in Batumi. Activists Omar Okribelashvili and Saba Meparishvili were also sentenced to prison terms over protest-related charges.
Pressure on civil society
NGOs and opposition parties faced legal pressure under the “Foreign Influence Transparency Law”, including investigations and threats of sanctions.
In August, authorities froze the accounts of seven NGOs, accusing them of sabotage linked to their support for protesters. Several NGO leaders were also summoned for questioning.
In October, the ruling Georgian Dream party filed a lawsuit seeking to ban three opposition parties, accusing them of attempting to overthrow the constitutional order.
Gender-based violence
Amnesty also reports cases of gender-based violence against women protesters, including sexual assault allegations, threats and degrading strip searches, despite government promises to end such practices.
The report says sexist rhetoric from senior officials has contributed to an environment of intimidation against women activists.
