Michael O’Flaherty, CoE Commissioner for Human Rights, Visits Georgia
Michael O’Flaherty, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, visited Georgia on April 14-15. He met with Georgian Dream government officials, state authorities, and civil society representatives to discuss “a range of important human rights concerns.”
The visit came amid the Georgian Dream government’s continued crackdown on dissent, including opposition, civil society organizations, and media, and a deteriorating human rights situation.
Meeting with Civil Society Representatives
On April 14, O’Flaherty first held talks with representatives of civil society organizations, who spoke to journalists afterward about the issues discussed.
“The human rights situation in Georgia, the situation of civil society organizations, how they are able to work, under what conditions, and whether they are continuing their work [were discussed],” Giorgi Kldiashvili, head of the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI), said.
“We provided information on the repressive environment in which civil society organizations and media have to operate. This included discussions on selective justice, where violence against journalists is not investigated, as well as the regulator’s [Communications Commission] selective use of legislation restricting funding against media outlets with critical editorial policies,” Tamar Kintsurashvili of Media Development Foundation (MDF) said.
“We discussed with the Commissioner the current state of human rights in the country, including restrictive legislative acts that relate both to the shrinking space for civil society and to journalists’ operational space, as well as to protests,” Tamar Oniani of Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) said, adding that issues addressed also included “the effectiveness of investigations into cases involving systemic torture and the use of unknown chemical substances against demonstrators.”
Meeting with the Public Defender
On April 14, Commissioner O’Flaherty also met with Levan Ioseliani, the Public Defender of Georgia.
Ioseliani described the meeting as “very important,” saying the discussions with the Commissioner focused on the “overall human rights situation in Georgia.” He said the Commissioner was interested in the Ombudsman’s work and his 2025 human rights report. He added that one of the issues discussed was “general situation of organizations in Georgia” and “the latest legislative package of amendments adopted in parliament,” referring to amendments to Georgia’s Law on Grants that further tightened restrictions and penalties on recipients of foreign funding.
Meetings with Georgian Dream Officials
On April 14, the Commissioner also met with Georgian Dream Interior Minister Geka Geladze.
Geladze presented “detailed information regarding both the activities of the Ministry and priority directions, as well as about ongoing and implemented reforms,” the Ministry of Internal Affairs said in a press release, adding that the meeting also addressed the human rights situation in Georgia and issues of future cooperation between MIA and the Council of Europe.
On April 15, Commissioner O’Flaherty met with Georgian Dream Reconciliation Minister Tea Akhvlediani. According to the press release, they discussed the human rights and humanitarian situation in Georgia’s occupied regions.
Commissioner O’Flaherty then met with Georgian Dream Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili.
The two discussed the “key issues of cooperation, ongoing developments in the country, and steps taken to protect human rights,” the ministry said in a press release, adding that Botchorishvili briefed Commissioner on the “severe security, humanitarian, and human rights situation in the Russian-occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions.” The ministry also said Commissioner O’Flaherty visited the occupation line near the village of Odzisi and a settlement for internally displaced persons in Tserovani.
On April 15, O’Flaherty also met with the Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. GD Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili and Government Administration Head Levan Zhorzholiani also attended the meeting.
“The discussion focused on the close cooperation between Georgia and the Council of Europe, as well as the implementation of the 2024-2026 Human Rights Action Plan,” the government administration said in a press release. It added that Kobakhidze “reaffirmed the strong commitment of the Government of Georgia to the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.”
“It was noted that media pluralism, freedom of speech, and freedom of expression are ensured in the country and guaranteed by the Constitution and legislation of Georgia,” the press release said.
O’Flaherty also met with Georgian Dream Health Minister Mikheil Sarjveladze. The two also reportedly discussed the human rights situation in the country.
He also met with Giorgi Gvarakidze, the Prosecutor General of Georgia, and Giorgi Gabitashvili, the Auditor General.
Note: This news was last updated on April 21.
Also Read:
- 02/04/2026 – CoE Body Calls on Georgia to Repeal Laws Restricting Grants, Political Activity
- 02/02/2026 – CoE Commissioner Calls On Georgian Parliament to Reject New Funding Restrictions ‘Stifling Civil Society’
- 17/12/2025 – CoE Commissioner Presses Georgian Prosecutors on Accountability for Protest Crackdown
- 27/05/2025 – CoE Commissioner Urges Georgia to Curb Police Abuse, Revise Legislative Changes
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