Georgia, once a shining example of post-Soviet democratic hope, again stands on the brink of authoritarianism. The world cannot afford to look away. The erosion of democracy in Georgia isn’t just a local tragedy; it’s a global warning. As someone who has watched Georgia’s journey with hope and heartbreak, the stakes have never been higher. The time to act is now.
A Democratic Promise Betrayed
Georgia’s 1999 accession to the Council of Europe was supposed to mark the beginning of a new era, a commitment to human rights, the rule of law, and democratic governance. For years, Georgia was hailed as a success story, a nation that had turned its back on Soviet authoritarianism and embraced the ideals of the West.
But today, that promise lies in tatters. Legislative reforms have concentrated power in the hands of the state, gutting judicial independence and dismantling legal safeguards. This isn’t just a technical shift; it’s a deliberate assault on democracy.
The passage of the so-called “foreign agents law” in May 2025, despite vetoes, EU warnings, and the largest wave of protests since the Rose Revolution, has become a defining symbol of this backslide. The law requires NGOs and media outlets receiving over 20% of funding from abroad to register as “organizations pursuing the interests of a foreign power,” which echoes legislation used in Russia to silence dissent.
At the Munich Security Conference 2025, global leaders sounded the alarm on “authoritarian resilience”, a trend where regimes hollow out democratic institutions while maintaining a facade of legitimacy. Georgia is a textbook case. The government’s crackdown on dissent and its withdrawal from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) aren’t just domestic missteps; they’re part of a global playbook for authoritarian consolidation. The ruling party, Georgian Dream, has rejected repeated calls from the EU, U.S., and OSCE to reverse the law, instead accusing Western countries of interference and calling EU criticism “anti-Georgian.” As of June, the government is to close its information centre on NATO and the European Union. If we don’t act now, Georgia’s democratic backsliding will embolden autocrats everywhere.
The Human Toll of Repression
The human cost of Georgia’s democratic collapse is heartbreaking. Take Mzia Amaglobeli, a journalist who was on a hunger strike in prison and whose only crime was speaking truth to power. Her suffering is emblematic of a system that punishes dissent while shielding abusers. Also on 10th June, detained activist Temur Katamadze was deported to Turkey. Protesters and opposition figures face swift, harsh justice, while allegations of police brutality are swept under the rug. This isn’t justice – it’s tyranny.
Recent reports from Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International paint a grim picture: politically motivated arrests, violent crackdowns on protests, and a climate of fear. By June 2025, over 330 individuals had been detained, including university students, NGO staff, and opposition MPs. Dozens reported beatings while in custody. Amnesty International has opened an urgent action on several of these cases, and footage of unprovoked police violence circulated widely online prompting condemnation from the UN Human Rights Office. Georgia’s crisis is a test of our collective commitment to democracy. So far, we’re failing.
Turning Away from Accountability
Georgia’s withdrawal from PACE is a slap in the face to the international community. PACE’s calls for the release of political prisoners and fresh elections were met not with dialogue but with defiance. This is a calculated move to evade accountability. By turning its back on international oversight, Georgia’s government is sending a clear message that it will not tolerate criticism, at home or abroad. Georgia’s retreat from accountability is now both a domestic problem and a global concern. In April 2025, the Georgian Parliament voted to withdraw from PACE following a resolution demanding an independent investigation into excessive police force. PACE members had also criticised the judiciary’s bias and lack of transparency. This was the first such withdrawal by a Council of Europe member state since Russia’s expulsion.
If Georgia is allowed to slide further towards authoritarianism, we risk setting a dangerous precedent for other nations teetering on the edge. The importance of multilateralism in addressing democratic backsliding is the key point, yet Georgia’s government has chosen to go it alone. Instead of working with allies and institutions like the EU or the Council of Europe, Georgia’s government has chosen an isolated path. This rejection of multilateral support is a serious error that could harm both Georgia and the broader international effort to defend democracy.
Georgia’s membership in the Council of Europe and access to the European Court of Human Rights are lifelines, but they’re not enough. As the MSC 2025 emphasised, international mechanisms can only do so much without domestic commitment. The international community must step up. Diplomatic pressure, targeted sanctions, and support for civil society are essential.
European leaders called for a coordinated response to democratic backsliding, including Magnitsky-style sanctions – the targeted measures imposed by governments against individuals or entities involved in serious human rights abuses or corruption, which typically include asset freezes, visa bans, and travel restrictions – against those responsible for human rights abuses. This decisive action is necessary. Georgia’s government needs to know that repression comes at a cost. The European Union and the United States have already imposed targeted sanctions on several Georgian officials implicated in corruption and human rights abuses, but more must be done. The U.S. State Department announced visa restrictions on 10 high-level officials and security service leaders, while the European Parliament adopted a resolution urging the suspension of pre-accession funds unless the foreign agents law is repealed. Germany, France, and the Netherlands have since paused bilateral defence and justice cooperation with Tbilisi. The international community must also leverage its economic and political influence to push for meaningful reform, such as restoring judicial independence by reversing the politicisation of court appointments, or ensuring media freedom by halting the harassment and prosecution of independent journalists. We need something that will have hands-on results.
Civil Society: The Last Line of Defence
Despite the crackdown, Georgia’s civil society remains a beacon of hope. It has been almost 100 days of protest in Georgia. Activists, journalists, and opposition groups continue to fight for democracy, often at great personal risk. Their courage is inspiring, but they can’t do it alone. The international community must stand with them, offering financial support, capacity-building, and global advocacy.
In 2024, Georgian civil society organisations documented over 500 cases of police brutality and political persecution. By June 2025, that number had surpassed 650, including nearly 200 separate incidents during peaceful protests. More than 40 NGOs, including key transparency watchdogs, have been labelled “foreign-influenced” under the new law and face potential closure. Nevertheless, civil society networks have expanded regionally, organising coordinated protests in Batumi, Kutaisi, and Zugdidi. Despite the risks, these groups continue to mobilise protests, file lawsuits, and expose corruption. Their resilience is a testament to the enduring power of grassroots movements. As one panellist at the Munich Security Conference put it, “The fight for democracy is not just a local struggle; it’s a global imperative.”
A Path Forward
Georgia’s future hinges on international accountability and reform. The government must address the glaring imbalance in its judicial system, ensure impartial investigations into police violence and political repression, and repeal laws that restrict fundamental freedoms such as freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, and the right to a free press. Re-engaging with international oversight mechanisms, such as PACE, is also essential. These steps would signal a genuine commitment to democracy and restore trust in Georgia’s institutions. But the international community must also act. As the MSC 2025 also made clear, democratic backsliding is a threat to global stability. Targeted sanctions, diplomatic pressure, and support for civil society are crucial tools in this fight. The time for half-measures is over; the stakes are too high.
Georgia stands at a crossroads and this is the test of our values. One path leads to deeper authoritarianism, where human rights are trampled, and dissent is silenced. The other offers a chance for renewal, accountability, and the preservation of democratic values. The choice is not just Georgia’s; it’s a test for the international community.
As someone who believes in the power of democracy, I urge the world to act. Georgia’s crisis is a call to action for all who value justice, freedom, and human dignity. The world is watching. By standing together, we can ensure that Georgia, and the broader democratic project, emerges stronger from this crisis. The fight for democracy is a shared responsibility. Georgia’s struggle is everybody’s struggle. If we fail to act, we risk not only Georgia’s future but the future of democracy in Europe itself.
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