Tbilisi ‘Vigorously Rejects’ OSCE Findings as Member States Call to Fulfill Recommendations

2026-03-13 - 09:06

Tbilisi “vigorously rejects” the findings and recommendations of the OSCE Moscow Mechanism report, Georgia’s permanent representative to the OSCE said after the report came out, as countries that had invoked the mechanism urged Georgia to address democratic backsliding noted in the report and fully implement the recommendations. The report, published on March 12, noted “marked democratic backsliding” in Georgia since spring 2024, recommended the immediate release of “all prisoners held for political reasons,” and called for the repeal of a series of restrictive legislation, among other steps. It also said the states parties to the Rome Statute “may consider” referring the situation in Georgia to the International Criminal Court, citing a “growing number of examples of political persecution, torture and other inhumane acts.” 24 OSCE member countries had invoked the Moscow Mechanism on Georgia on January 29 over a “deteriorating human rights situation.” The expert mission began work on February 11. Tbilisi ‘Vigorously Rejects’ Report’s Findings, Recommendations Alexander Maisuradze, Georgia’s permanent representative to the OSCE, responded in a statement to OSCE Permenent Council published by the Foreign Ministry, saying the Georgian government expresses its “profound concern” over the report and that, while it “remains steadfast” in its commitment to OSCE principles, the report contains “serious factual inaccuracies, selective interpretations, and politically biased conclusions that fundamentally undermine its credibility and objectivity.” He said Georgia had maintained from the outset “serious reservations” that the report would involve “selective interpretation and politicization,” adding that Georgia nevertheless cooperated “fully and transparently” with the fact-finding mission, including by facilitating “all requested meetings” and providing “extensive” material to ensure the mission had the “necessary information for informed assessment.” “Despite this cooperation, the report fails to reflect the complexity of Georgia’s political and legal context, omits critical clarifications provided by competent state bodies, and selectively emphasizes isolated cases as ‘politically motivated,’ disregarding legal safeguards, ongoing judicial processes and internationally recognized fair trial standards,” Maisuradze said, adding that the information regarding protests contains “factual inaccuracies and mischaracterizations.” He added that the issued recommendations go “far beyond” the scope of the Moscow Mechanism, “including urging other international organizations and states to act against Georgia.” He also criticized the report for “failing even to identify the country’s correct official name,” saying it repeatedly used “the Republic of Georgia” instead of “Georgia.” “The Government of Georgia therefore vigorously rejects the Report’s findings and recommendations and requests that the OSCE and its participating States give due consideration to the legal arguments, achievements, and comprehensive clarifications provided by the Government of Georgia in its extensive Response,” Maisuradze said, calling it “regrettable” that “we increasingly witness attempts to misuse international organizations and institutions for malign purposes, thereby undermining their credibility and public trust in institutional neutrality.” 24 Countries Call for Implementing Recommendations The report’s release was followed by a joint statement from 24 countries that invoked the mechanism on Georgia, describing the rapporteur’s central finding of “marked democratic backsliding,” among others, as “unambiguous” and urging Tbilisi to “address democratic backsliding” and “fully implement” the recommendations. The statement highlighted several specific steps, including: Conduct “prompt, independent and impartial investigations” into all allegations of “torture and ill-treatment” and hold those responsible accountable. Repeal or fundamentally revise legislation that is “incompatible with its international human rights obligations and commitments,” including the Foreign Agents Law, the Foreign Agents Registration Act, and amendments to the Grants Law affecting broadcasting and political participation. “Refrain from arbitrary detention and prosecution of political opponents, journalists, and other participants in public debate, withdraw arbitrarily brought charges, and release all persons detained for political reasons.” “Halt efforts to ban opposition parties, withdraw pending applications in this regard, and ensure that political pluralism is fully respected.” “Restore trust in the judiciary by strengthening judicial independence.” The signatories of the statement are Albania, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and Poland. They added that they “stand ready to support meaningful follow‐up, including through continued discussion in the Permanent Council and engagement with Georgian authorities and civil society as well as by seriously considering the Report’s recommendations to the OSCE Participating States and to the International Community.” “Based on the OSCE Moscow Mechanism report, Germany and 23 states call on Georgia to reinstate democratic norms and freedoms and live up to its own human rights commitments. Georgia’s response: “‘It’s all not true,'” Germany’s Ambassador to Georgia, Peter Fischer, wrote on X. Based on @OSCE #MoscowMechanism report, 🇩🇪 + 23 states call on 🇬🇪 to reinstate democratic norms & freedoms and live up to its own #humanrights committments. 🇬🇪 response: "It's all not true". Our statement ⬇️ https://t.co/PdlncRhKRN Read full report ⬇️ https://t.co/CV6lQ4MCUg pic.twitter.com/kcP7sdWRS9 — Peter Fischer (@Diplo_Peter) March 12, 2026 “The OSCE Moscow Mechanism provides the opportunity to investigate issues related to the OSCE human dimension and is an important tool for accountability. We urge the Georgian authorities to implement the recommendations in full,” the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on X. The @OSCE is built on strong commitments to human rights, democracy and the rule of law. 🇸🇪 welcomes the Moscow Mechanism mission’s independent expert report and recommendations on the alarming situation in 🇬🇪. The #OSCE #MoscowMechanism provides the opportunity to investigate... https://t.co/N6AbH2ijBT — Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs (@SweMFA) March 12, 2026 “Human rights, democracy and the rule of law are at the core of the OSCE’s principles and commitments. The UK, with partners, urges Georgia to address democratic backsliding and implement in full the OSCE Moscow Mechanism recommendations,” the UK delegation to the OSCE said. Human rights, democracy and the rule of law are at the core of the OSCE’s principles and commitments. The UK, with partners, urges Georgia to address democratic backsliding and implement in full the @OSCE #MoscowMechanism recommendations. pic.twitter.com/RHDf7LLpPt — UK Delegation to the OSCE (@UKOSCE) March 12, 2026 Also Read: 11/03/2026 – OSCE PA Delegation Concludes Visit to Georgia, Notes ‘Absence of Political Dialogue’