In 2024, the state of human rights protection in Georgia significantly deteriorated, accompanied by deepening of existing challenges in the area of equality and worsening of the rights of various social groups.

The positive changes and achieved progress over the years at both legislative and institutional levels have become questionable by a sharp shift in the State policy. On the one hand, the exclusion of equality issues from the State policy and, on the other hand, the shift in the course of Euro-Atlantic integration, further aggravated the existing situation.

The steps taken by the Government in 2024 were undermining the idea of equality. With the adoption of discriminatory legislation, the repression of non-governmental and civil society organizations, the persecution of dissenting opinions, and the restriction of freedom of expression, the challenges faced by various social groups in daily life disappeared from the agenda.

With the adoption of the Law of Georgia “on Transparency of Foreign Influence”1, the functioning of non-governmental organizations in Georgia came under threat, particularly those that have played a significant role in improving the human rights condition in the country for years. The initiation of the Law was accompanied by campaigns aimed at discrediting non-governmental organizations, including the use of pro-governmental media outlets. Taking into consideration the fact that in Georgia most services for vulnerable groups are being provided by non-governmental organizations, the implementation of the Law will have a particularly severe impact on the state of right of equality.

Later, with the Law of Georgia “on the Protection of Family Values and Minors”2 and the package of related legislative amendments, political homophobia has been institutionalised and social inequality– deepened. In addition, fundamental rights of the LGBTQI+ community have been restricted,including access to healthcare, employment, education, freedom of information, assembly, and expression. The restrictions imposed in the field of education, particularly the removal of issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity from the educational process, pose a threat to the importance of education for various professional groups, such as doctors, lawyers, and others.

In public discourse, narratives that contribute to the exclusion and stigmatization of different social groups are increasingly prevailing, further damaging the principles of equality, diversity, and tolerance. The hate speech and discriminatory rhetoric, often used by public and political figures, has deepened the hostile environment, particularly for LGBTQI+ individuals, ethnic and religious minorities, and people with disabilities.

The situation is further exacerbated by the failing of the coordination mechanisms between the Government and civil society organizations, which is a result of the State’s repressive policy. Although there has always been criticism of the challenges faced by the State in collaborating with civil society and substantively engaging various groups in the decision-making process, the dissolution of existing dialogue and cooperation mechanisms has shaken trust and undermined the idea of collective effort against systemic discrimination. This, in turn, has halted all significant processes aimed at achieving equality. 

This report provides an overview of the state of right of equality in Georgia in 2024, focusing on legislative, institutional, and social challenges. The purpose of the report is to assess the current situation regarding equality in the country and to present effective recommendations for joint efforts to improve the human rights situation and achieve equality.

Full report is available at the following link:

The State of Right of Equality in Georgia 2024

1 The Law of Georgia “on Transparency of Foreign Influence”, 2024, available at: https://matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/6171895?publication=0

2 The Law of Georgia “on the Protection of Family Values and Minors”, 2024, available at: https://matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/6283110?publication=0