Georgia has been placed on a global human rights watchlist due to what activists describe as a rapid and sweeping deterioration of civic freedoms, following a wave of restrictive laws and an escalating political crisis.
The move comes from the CIVICUS Monitor, which on 25 March added Georgia to its watchlist of countries experiencing a sharp decline in civic space. The country now joins others such as Iran, Philippines, Ecuador and Benin.
The decision follows a dramatic downgrade in Georgia’s civic space rating, from “narrowed” to “obstructed” in 2024, and then to “repressed” in December 2025, the second-worst classification used by the monitor. The rating signals severe restrictions on freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly and association.
Wave of restrictive laws
Concerns have intensified following a series of laws passed by parliament in March 2026, which significantly expand state control over civil society and dissent.
Among the most controversial changes are amendments broadening the definition of “foreign grants” to include almost any form of support deemed to influence public policy, even private donations. Violations can carry prison sentences of up to six years.
Lawmakers have also introduced new offences targeting “extremism against the constitutional order,” widely interpreted by critics as a tool against those challenging the legitimacy of the 2024 elections.
Additional measures include long-term bans from political party membership for individuals linked to organizations labeled as acting in “foreign interests.”
These developments build on earlier legislation, including the widely criticized “foreign agents” law adopted in 2024, which triggered mass protests and drew comparisons to similar laws in Russia.
Warnings of democratic backsliding
International observers have also raised the alarm. On 12 March, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe invoked its Moscow Mechanism to investigate the situation in Georgia, concluding that the country is undergoing “marked democratic backsliding.”
At the same time, protest laws have been tightened, criminalizing a growing range of activities such as covering one’s face or blocking traffic. Repeat offences can lead to prison sentences.
“Authorities are introducing sweeping new restrictions at a relentless pace, dismantling civic space piece by piece,” said Tara Petrovic, Europe researcher for the CIVICUS Monitor. “This constant stream of repressive laws must be urgently reversed, and provisions that are incompatible with Georgia’s human rights obligations must be repealed in full.”
Protests and pressure on opposition
The crackdown follows mass demonstrations that erupted in late 2024 after the ruling party, Georgian Dream, announced a pause in European Union accession talks.
Security forces responded with tear gas, water cannons and arrests, while reports emerged of violence by unidentified masked groups. Civil society organizations say hundreds of protesters have since faced detention, fines, and alleged ill-treatment.
Pressure has also mounted on independent media and NGOs, with reports of financial scrutiny, frozen bank accounts and politically motivated investigations. In one case, a broadcaster faced proceedings over a single donation from abroad.
Opposition figures have not been spared. Several leaders were jailed or barred from office in 2025, while prosecutors have opened cases against others carrying potential sentences of up to 15 years. A pending case before the Constitutional Court could result in the banning of multiple opposition parties.
“The speed and scale of these repressive measures should alarm anyone concerned about Georgia’s future,” Petrovic said.
By Team GT
