In a letter published today, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, expressed concerns to Georgia’s Prosecutor General about the lack of tangible progress in investigations into alleged disproportionate use of force by law enforcement against protesters and journalists in late 2024.
The Commissioner raises concern about the effectiveness of the investigations initiated by the Special Investigative Service and transferred to the Prosecutor’s Office. While criminal proceedings against protesters have advanced and led to convictions, there has been no accountability for alleged police abuses. He refers to findings by Georgia’s Public Defender, documenting numerous allegations of ill-treatment of protesters, including reports of torture and alleged threats of sexual violence against women protesters.
The Commissioner stresses that the use of water cannons containing chemical irritants should be fully examined, as it raises serious questions about the legality, necessity and proportionality of the use of force, especially considering official acknowledgements that chemicals were mixed into water cannons during protests.
Recalling the European Court of Human Rights’ case-law on Georgia, he urges prompt, thorough, independent and effective investigations, calling for accountability for any human rights violations committed against protesters, and requests updated information on the measures taken.
Read the Commissioner’s letter addressed to the Prosecutor General of Georgia