Britain and more than 20 OSCE members launch investigation into human rights violations in Georgia

The United Kingdom and 23 other countries have used the OSCE Moscow Mechanism to establish an expert mission on the deteriorating human rights situation in Georgia. About reported on the British government's website.

The statement said that in December 2024, 38 participating States used the OSCE Vienna Mechanism to express concern about the events in Georgia and request additional information from the authorities. However, Georgia did not respond to questions about accountability for police brutality against protesters in December 2024 and January 2025.

These actions were assessed as "unlawful violence against citizens, which may amount to torture". The British government noted that to date, no official has been held accountable for such violence.

In addition, there are still questions about the observance of the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. The statement noted that since the application of the Vienna Mechanism, dozens of Georgians have been detained on politicized charges, including journalists and opposition leaders. The government recalled that Georgia is a member of the OSCE and has committed itself to respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms.

"However, our concern about the Georgian authorities' fulfillment of their general humanitarian and international human rights obligations has only increased," the UK said.

The statement also reminded that on October 28, 2025, the Georgian parliament announced a lawsuit to ban the leading opposition parties. Since then, nine opposition leaders have been charged, and some of them face up to 15 years in prison.

"Such a step represents a serious escalation of the undermining of democratic norms in Georgia and is incompatible with OSCE principles and commitments," the statement emphasized.

Georgia is "strongly urged" to cooperate with the OSCE delegation. In addition to the UK, the statement was signed by Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Iceland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Ukraine and Sweden.

• Since November 2024, protests have continued in Georgia after the prime minister's statement countries to suspend their movement to the European Union.
• In October 2025, rallies were held in Georgia again dozens of people were detained и accused the protesters in a coup attempt.
• on October 13, the ruling party in Georgia prepared further amendments to the legislationthat restrict street actions.
• In December, the Prime Minister of Georgia recognized use of a certain substance during the crackdown on protests in November-December 2024.