Human Rights Council 51st Session of the Universal Periodic Review – Georgia

Mr Vice President,

We welcome the delegation from Georgia.

New Zealand expresses our concerns over the deteriorating human rights situation in Georgia since its last review, particularly reports of violence and intimidation against civil society actors.

New Zealand recommends that Georgia:

1. Implement all recommendations of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in its report on the Georgia Elections of October 2024.
2. Repeal the “Transparency of Foreign Influence” legislation and the Foreign Agents Registration Act, both of which affect the freedoms of assembly and expression.
3. Repeal the “Protection of Family Values and Minors” legislation that severely restricts rights for members of the LGBTQI+ community.

We thank the delegation for their participation today.

Thank you Mr Vice President.