On September 8, 2025, clashes occurred between the participants in an anti-government rally and individuals mobilized near Kakha Kaladze’s election headquarters on Melikishvili Avenue.[1] It is noteworthy that according to the reports and video footage spread, journalists were prevented from carrying out their professional activities, their phones were taken away, and they also became targets of physical assaults.[2] In addition, law enforcement officers mobilized on the spot also allegedly became the target of violence.[3]

First of all, the Public Defender emphasizes that a healthy electoral environment is the foundation of a democratic society, which is significantly weakened by various types of attacks carried out by individuals involved in this process in various ways. Current processes and past experience clearly show that polarization is a systemic challenge accompanying the pre-election period, and in order to solve it, it is important for those participating in it to contribute to the formation of an environment that ensures fair, peaceful and equal elections.

Although freedom of assembly includes the right to choose a place to hold a protest, the exercise of this right should not lead to excessive restrictions on the rights of other persons and the activities of the election headquarters. Therefore, the Public Defender calls on the participants in the assembly, in the event of holding a rally at the same location (Melikishvili Avenue) in the future, to refrain from taking actions that may hinder the work of the (Georgian Dream) election headquarters.

At the same time, the Public Defender emphasizes that the Government is obliged to create a safe and supportive environment for the full enjoyment of the freedom of peaceful assembly.[4] This may require mobilizing a sufficient number of law enforcement officers on site, taking timely measures to prevent and suppress violent acts, and ensuring a safe distance between the participants in the assembly and other persons gathered at the site.

It is also noteworthy that during assemblies, legislation provides for a special protection regime for journalists present at the site to cover the events,[5] which stems from the special role of media representatives to disseminate independent, impartial, and objective information about the assembly.[6] Accordingly, the violent acts directed at them and disruption of their activities are particularly worrying.

There have also been a number of cases where several individuals used gestures with sexual connotations against demonstrators. The Public Defender emphasizes that insulting, humiliating and degrading behavior of sexual nature is an act prohibited and, in some cases, punishable by Georgian legislation. In addition, there were instances of the use of derogatory and stereotypical statements against women. The Public Defender once again calls on both government officials and political party representatives to refrain from using such statements against women.

The Public Defender, within the framework of his mandate, will supervise the investigation. The Public Defender calls on the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Prosecutor's Office to bring all perpetrators to justice within a short period of time.

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[1] Information available on the website: < bit.ly/3HPGXaR > [09.09.2025].

[2] Information available on the website: < bit.ly/4ggfCLC > [09.09.2025].

[3] Information available on the website: < bit.ly/4nqWQDK >, < bit.ly/41In0JD > [09.09.2025].

[4] UN Human Rights Committee General Comment No. 37 (2020) on the right of peaceful assembly (Article 21), CCPR/C/GC/37, 17 September 2020, para. 24.

[5] Law of Georgia on Assemblies and Demonstrations, Article 2, part 4.

[6] The European Court of Human Rights in its judgment of 2 October 2012 in the case of Najafli v. Azerbaijan, explained that the role of the media includes disseminating information on matters of public interest; and, in turn, the public has the right to receive such data, including information about assemblies (para. 66); the European Court of Human Rights, in its judgment of 20 October 2015 in the case of Pentikäinen v. Finland, stressed the crucial role of the media in disseminating information on the authorities’ handling of public demonstrations and the containment of disorder; their presence is a guarantee that the authorities can be held to account(para. 89).