Georgia: Security forces attacked and tortured protesters
In widespread and apparently punitive acts, Georgian security forces have chased down, violently detained, and beat protesters. Police also tortured and otherwise ill-treated them in police vans and police stations.
Georgia: Human rights crisis deepens amid crackdown on protests
“EU foreign affairs ministers gathering on 16 December to discuss Georgia should call for an independent investigation into the country’s clampdown on peaceful anti-government protests” – HRW
Free press groups call on Georgia to end violent attacks on media
According to Mapping Media Freedom monitoring platform, at least 50 media workers experienced physical attacks, verbal abuse or obstruction as police violently dispersed the pro-EU demonstrations in Georgia.
Georgia: Rights groups condemn recently-adopted homophobic bill
“This legislation imposes censorship on media by banning broadcasters from freely reporting on LGBTQI+ issues. The Georgian government must stop its legal attacks on press freedom and freedom of expression.”
Georgia: Accountability needed for violent attacks on government critics
“A pattern of harassment and intimidation of activists, independent media, and government critics, if left unpunished, risks emboldening malicious actors to escalate violence in the months before Georgia’s upcoming elections” – HRW
Georgia: Release Azerbaijani journalist Afgan Sadygov and stop his extradition to Azerbaijan
Afgan Sadygov moved to Georgia seven months ago to escape persecution by the authorities in his own country, where he has been arrested several times on various dubious charges.
Georgia: Parliament overturns presidential veto, adopts ‘foreign agents’ law
“The ruling Georgian Dream party’s decision to push through Kremlin-inspired ‘foreign agents’ legislation makes it clear that the party wants to ensure its victory in October parliamentary elections by using the law to smear and suppress critical voices” – CPJ
Georgia: Parliament adopts “foreign agents” law despite mass protests
The police used tear gas, rubber bullets, water cannons, and mass arrests against the protesters. There have also been reports of physical attacks on government critics and their family members.
Georgian PM urged to withdraw Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence, guarantee the safety of journalists, and uphold press freedom
IFEX joins the members of the Media Freedom Rapid Response and other organisations in expressing deep alarm about the Foreign Influence Bill and the sudden rise in violence and other restrictions against Georgia’s journalists reporting on the public protests against the Bill.
Tens of thousands of Georgians protest the “foreign agents” bill
“The revival of restrictive legislation against NGOs is part of a larger pattern of assault against a broad range of human rights in Georgia.”
Georgia: Police assault at least 4 journalists covering ‘foreign agents’ bill protests
The Georgian Parliament should reject the ‘foreign agents’ bill. The authorities should also investigate allegations of police brutality against journalists and hold those responsible accountable – CPJ
Georgia: Ruling party reintroduces ‘foreign agents’ law to parliament
“Georgian authorities’ revival of a bill that would smear media outlets as foreign-controlled is deeply concerning and utterly incompatible with their claim of aligning with European democratic standards” – CPJ
Two exiled Russian journalists reportedly poisoned
“German and Georgian authorities should treat these allegations with the utmost seriousness and do all they can to safeguard the lives of journalists living in exile” – CPJ
Rights groups call on Georgia to release journalist Nika Gvaramia from prison
A well-known critic of Georgia’s ruling party, Gvaramia is currently serving a 3.5 year sentence for alleged abuse of office. His prosecution and conviction were widely seen as politically motivated.