**Council of Europe Commissioner Concerned About Human Rights in Georgia**
Michael O’Flaherty, the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights, has visited Georgia and expressed concern about human rights issues in the country. During his visit from January 21-23, 2025, he met with Georgian authorities and civil society representatives.
**Pre-Trial Detention of Journalist**
Mr. O’Flaherty is particularly concerned about the pre-trial detention of Mzia Amaghlobeli, a well-known journalist who has been on hunger strike since her arrest on January 12, 2025. He believes that continuing her pre-trial detention is unjustified and expresses concern about her situation.
**Human Rights Shortcomings**
The Commissioner also expressed his gratitude to the Georgian authorities for their cooperation and open discussions during his visit. However, he called for measures to address serious human rights shortcomings in Georgia. These include a lack of accountability for allegations of unlawful arrests and excessive use of force by law enforcement officers.
**Restrictions on Protest and Media**
Mr. O’Flaherty is also concerned about new restrictions on protest and media in Georgia. The amendments to the law “On Assemblies and Manifestations” and the Administrative Offences Code include a blanket ban on face coverings by protesters, expanded grounds for administrative arrest, search, and seizure, and harsher fines for public protest-related administrative offences.
**Shrinking Space for Civil Society**
The Commissioner further expressed concern about the shrinking space for civil society organizations in Georgia. He mentioned that the law “on transparency of foreign influence” is an unnecessary and disproportionate restriction on the right to freedom of association.
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