While most of the restrictive measures related to the pandemic have been lifted in Georgia between March-May 2021, a new report by Human Rights Center, ECNL's partner, analyses recent cases that restrict civic freedoms. Some of these reveal the lack of understanding of the essence of the freedom of expression and right to peaceful assembly by state authorities:
- Peaceful environmental protests have been forcefully dispersed;
- A court order allowing the prosecutor to get information on journalistic sources using measures of force threatens media freedom and freedom of expression;
- Amendments to the Code of Administrative Offences introduce stricter sanctions for offences most frequently associated with protests.
The pandemic has also had a negative impact on freedom of movement between the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and the territories controlled by the Georgian government. In addition to the various administrative hurdles, the imposition of quarantine has made almost impossible for residents of these territories to access medical assistance, purchase products and medicines, receive pensions, use social services.
Find out more in the quarterly update: