Based on the appeal of the Public Defender, OSCE/ODIHR examined recent amendments to the Georgian legislation, which have introduced criminal liability for the repeated violations of a number of norms of the Law on Assemblies and Demonstrations and the repeated commission of another administrative offence.

According to the OSCE/ODIHR report, the introduction of deprivation of liberty for certain non-violent actions (including wearing a mask, peaceful participation in protests considered illegal, or blocking roads), without evidence of harm to society or intent to cause such a harm, constitutes a criminalization of an act protected by international human rights law.

The OSCE/ODIHR stresses that disproportionate penalties independently violate freedom of assembly, as they can hinder the organization of and participation in rallies, which has a negative impact on the realization of freedom of assembly and freedom of expression.

The amendments also criminalize verbal abuse or other “offensive acts” directed against law enforcement officers and other individual officials, and provide for a penalty of up to 2 years of imprisonment if committed repeatedly. According to the OSCE/ODIHR report, such vague and broad terminology, which allows for subjective interpretation, fails to meet the standards of legality, clarity and foreseeability required by international law.

According to the OSCE/ODIHR assessment, the above-mentioned changes of October 2025 raise serious concerns about Georgia's compliance with international human rights obligations.