Nine leading international human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch (HRW), have issued a forceful appeal to the European Union (EU) and its member states, urging them to confront Georgia's ongoing clampdown on civil society and human rights organizations. This call to action comes in light of recent repressive measures from the Georgian authorities, which have increasingly targeted local civil society groups.

The coalition's joint statement demands that the EU publicly denounce the Georgian government's actions, aligning with the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders. Furthermore, these organizations are pushing for a unified declaration from EU member states during the upcoming 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council. Iskra Kirova, the Europe and Central Asia advocacy director at HRW, emphasized, “The harassment of these groups not only violates Georgia’s commitments under numerous human rights treaties but also undermines the democratic principles it purports to uphold.”

Additionally, the statement encourages the adoption of the OSCE Moscow Mechanism, a protocol aimed at upholding human rights, fundamental freedoms, democracy, and the rule of law among participating states. This call comes after the Vienna Human Dimension Mechanism was triggered against Georgia in 2024 due to similar concerns.

This appeal is a direct response to the recent actions of the Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia, which froze the assets of seven prominent Georgian NGOs. These groups were accused of financing protest activities against the police in 2024, allegations that the International Society of Fair Elections and Democracy has branded as a violation of fundamental human rights and a deliberate obstruction of Georgia’s European integration process.

The situation in Georgia deteriorated significantly after the October 2024 protests, which erupted following allegations of election tampering and the government's suspension of EU accession talks. The government's response included the enactment of a "foreign influence" law, leading to the imprisonment of eleven protesters on charges of disrupting public order, arrests of opposition leaders, and reported incidents of gender-based violence against female demonstrators. In response to these developments, the EU passed a resolution in February 2025, questioning the legitimacy of Georgia's newly elected officials.

These unfolding events in Georgia present a critical test for the EU's commitment to human rights abroad, at a time when the integrity and democratic values of the region are perceived to be at risk. The international community watches closely as the EU deliberates its next steps in addressing these pressing human rights issues.