UN Special Rapporteur Maina Kiai undertook an official mission to the Republic of Georgia from Feb. 6-13, 2012, at the invitation of the Georgian government. The visit was carried out pursuant to his mandate to assess the situation of freedoms of peaceful assembly and association in the country.
Mr. Kiai 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.
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.
The Special Rapporteur’s report was officially released on June 8, 2012, and was presented to the Human Rights Council at its 20th session in June 2012.
