Summary
The Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association conducted an official visit to Georgia from 6 to 13 February 2012. The mandate holder visited the cities of Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Batumi, and held meetings with Government officials, non-governmental organizations, trade unions, political party officials and representatives of the international community based in Tbilisi.
The present report is the result of a careful assessment of the situation with regard to the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association. The Special Rapporteur has taken into due consideration the documentation that was submitted for the preparation of the report, as well as the information obtained through extensive interviews with victims, activists and senior representatives of the Government.
Since the “Rose Revolution”, Georgia has experienced a remarkable period of reforms in many areas of public life. The Special Rapporteur considers, however, that these improvements should not be taken for granted. A climate of fear and intimidation against members of opposition political parties and civil society could seriously threaten this path. In the light of the 2012 parliamentary and 2013 presidential elections, more efforts to ensure protection of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association should be made.