HRW Says Georgia’s Protest Laws Undermine Basic Freedoms

HRW Says Georgia’s Protest Laws Undermine Basic Freedoms
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Human Rights Watch has criticized Georgia’s recently adopted protest regulations, saying they effectively criminalize peaceful assembly and expose citizens to detention and heavy fines, the Jurist reported. The group argues that measures introduced from late 2024 through 2025 significantly restrict the public’s ability to demonstrate. Tensions escalated after the ruling party halted Georgia’s long-standing bid to join the European Union in November 2024, prompting large demonstrations in Tbilisi and other cities.

Authorities responded by tightening legislation governing protests. In February 2025, lawmakers extended administrative detention from 15 to 60 days for offences such as petty hooliganism, disobeying police orders or breaching assembly rules. A new offence covering “verbal insults” of officials became punishable by up to 45 days in custody, while spontaneous gatherings now require advance notice and indoor meetings must receive written approval.

Further changes followed in July 2025, linking unpaid fines to mandatory 30–60-day detention for repeat protest-related violations, a move critics say discourages civic participation. Amendments adopted in October 2025 escalated several minor protest actions into felony charges, carrying prison terms of up to two years for participants and four years for organizers.

Human Rights Watch says these steps, combined with aggressive policing, breach Georgia’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The government rejects allegations of repression, accusing foreign media and critics of spreading misinformation.