The United Kingdom used the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process to welcome Georgia’s engagement while detailing what it described as a serious deterioration in human rights since 2024. The statement cited excessive police force against peaceful protesters, politically motivated arrests, restrictions on freedom of assembly, intimidation of journalists, and legislation undermining civil society and political pluralism.
The UK recommended that Georgia ensure independent, impartial investigations into allegations of police violence and ill‑treatment during protests, with those responsible held to account.
It further called on the authorities to guarantee the safety and independence of journalists, civil society organisations and human rights defenders, and to repeal or amend legislation that restricts their ability to operate.
A separate recommendation urged the release of all those unjustly detained on politically motivated charges, alongside urgent steps to uphold judicial independence and the right to a fair trial.
Concluding the intervention, the UK asked the Government of Georgia to ensure accountability for human rights violations and to meet its international obligations on freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and freedom of association.
The UPR is the Human Rights Council’s peer‑review mechanism under which UN member states examine one another’s human rights records and issue recommendations. Governments then indicate which recommendations they accept, and progress is reviewed in subsequent cycles.
Analysis: If implemented, the UK’s proposals would require robust, independent oversight of policing, a review of contested laws affecting media and NGOs, and case reviews for detainees flagged as politically motivated. The package sets practical benchmarks likely to shape bilateral dialogue and donor expectations.
Next steps: The Working Group’s outcome report on Georgia will be considered for formal adoption at a subsequent Human Rights Council session, after which Georgia will set out its position on each recommendation and any planned implementation timetable.