According to data published by the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA)[1], from November 19 to March 1, 2024, the NGOs’ hotline received reports about 1,084 individuals who were subjected to administrative proceedings on various grounds. The network’s lawyers provided services to 486 administrative detainees. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has made allegations against 600 individuals for committing an act covered under Article 1741, such as artificially blocking traffic way.[2] During the reporting period criminal cases were instituted against approximately 50 individuals. Primarily, the court imposed detention, the most severe form of restraint against criminal defendants. However, in the case of two detainees, the court later replaced the detention order with bail at the request of the Prosecutor’s Office.[3] Furthermore, the court imposed bail as a measure of restraint against 8 individuals who are charged with attempting to block a particularly important facility as a group.[4] Despite numerous pieces of evidence, no law enforcement officer has been held accountable under the law so far. Additionally, the members of the informal violent group who committed cruel physical retaliation against rally participants were released on bail.[5] The majority of detainees are victims of physical retaliation. They have shared their grievous experiences of inhuman and degrading treatment with the lawyers.

In accordance with international standards, the accountability system must give due attention to the rights and needs of victims of the use of force. These include: the right to medical assistance, to file a complaint, to be informed of the progress of the investigation, to name and interrogate witnesses, to receive legal and psychological support, to be informed of the outcome of the investigation. If the use of force was found to be unlawful, victims should receive compensation, rehabilitation and guarantees that such unlawful treatment will not be repeated.[6] The afore-mentioned international standards were largely disregarded during the reporting period.

This report presents the results of observing protest rallies from September 1, 2024 to March 1, 2025. The report evaluates the behavior of protesters and law enforcement officers, including in accordance with national legislation and international standards. The document specifically highlights the unlawfulness of implementing special measures, the unjustified and illegal use of physical force, particularly brutal retaliation against media representatives, the instrumentalization of administrative and criminal consequences, and impunity that incentivizes violence.

The already restrictive environment that illegally limited the freedom of assembly and expression in April and May, during the parliamentary hearings of the Law on the Transparency of Foreign Influence,[7] became even more cumbersome in November and December. During the reporting period, rallies were sparked by two key causes:

• After the October 26, 2024 Parliamentary Elections, rallies resumed in the capital city. Protesters rallied against the unfair conduct of Parliamentary Elections where key electoral principles outlined in the Constitution of Georgia, such as ensuring a free voting environment and vote secrecy were disregarded. As of now, the parliamentary elections held on October 26 have not been recognized either domestically or internationally.
• Massive and continuous protest rallies started on November 28. The daily protests, which have been taking place in numerous cities in addition to the capital city of Georgia, were preceded by the decision of the Georgian Dream to suspend the opening of negotiations on EU membership until 2028.[8] The latest incessant protest in Georgia is a continuation of the protests against nondemocratic policies and those that hinder EU integration.