OSCE Moscow Mechanism invoked over human rights situation in Georgia

On 29 January, 23 participating States of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), including Finland, invoked the Moscow Mechanism to assess the human rights situation in Georgia. According to preliminary information, the report is scheduled for completion in March.

Concerns about the human rights situation in Georgia have prompted a group of OSCE participating States to invoke the Moscow Mechanism to launch an expert mission. It aims to provide an independent assessment on how the actions of the Georgian authorities comply with the OSCE’s human dimension commitments and international human rights obligations, with a particular focus on developments since spring 2024.

The mission is tasked to document recent developments in human rights and fundamental freedoms in Georgia. It will look into issues such as shrinking civic space, democracy and the rule of law, arbitrary arrests and detentions, and the treatment of the opposition, human rights defenders and the media. As a result, the mission will draw up an independent, public report, which provides an assessment of the human rights situation in Georgia and recommendations and advice on how to address matters of concern.

Building on previous Vienna Mechanism

In December 2024, 38 participating States invoked the OSCE Vienna Mechanism over the human rights situation in Georgia. The aim was to obtain information about the human rights situation and to launch a dialogue between the participating States and the Georgian authorities.

However, a more thorough and independent assessment is required, especially to examine police violence and accountability related to demonstrations, and to assess wider developments in freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, and the treatment of political opposition. The Moscow Mechanism is a natural way to continue this process.

What is the Moscow Mechanism?

The Moscow Mechanism is an OSCE instrument for assessing the implementation of OSCE human rights commitments in the participating States.

Reports prepared under the Mechanism provide an independent expert assessment and recommendations for the information of the participating States and the public. 

The Mechanism supports dialogue and a cooperative assessment of the commitments within the OSCE.