On 17 March 2025, Georgia’s Prosecutor General’s Office announced the freezing of bank accounts belonging to five prominent human rights and civil society organisations, including Human Rights House Tbilisi and the Shame Movement. Authorities claim this action was taken due to allegations that these organisations supported protestors involved in violent demonstrations opposing the Georgian Dream Party’s re-election in October 2024. Neither of the organisations received prior notification about the freeze or were informed that they were under criminal investigation.
Human Rights House Tbilisi, a membership-based organisation located in Tbilisi, serves as an essential hub for human rights advocacy in Georgia. It unites five civil society groups, focusing on the protection of human rights defenders and raising awareness about human rights issues. The organisation plays a pivotal role in providing assistance to defenders and activists facing risks, ensuring their voices are not silenced.
The Shame Movement, a pro-democracy initiative founded in June 2019, has fostered a community of over 150 activists advocating for systemic democratic changes in Georgia. Their mission revolves around encouraging nonviolent engagement in the electoral process and promoting transparency in governance. This movement has rallied citizens, particularly the youth, in the quest for electoral integrity and accountability.
Georgia’s Prosecutor General highlighted an ongoing investigation into accusations ranging from foreign interference to fundraising for actions detrimentally affecting the state. This investigation arose in the aftermath of mass arrests of protestors who demonstrated against the Georgian Dream Party’s dominance in the October 2024 elections. The party has pursued draconian legislation since then, threatening human rights and civil society efforts.
The prosecution insinuated that Human Rights House Tbilisi and Shame Movement were complicit in protest violence. However, it was later clarified that the organisations’ actions benefited arrested protestors by providing legal aid and other support vital to victims of police brutality. Despite these activities aligning with their human rights mandates, the accounts of these organisations remain frozen.
Front Line Defenders has condemned this act, emphasising that the freezing of accounts is a direct attack on peaceful human rights advocacy. They also criticise the Georgian authorities for mischaracterising the legitimate support offered by these organisations as funding for violence. They call for immediate reinstatement of the organisations’ access to funds and insist on the necessity for a supportive environment for human rights defenders in Georgia.
In their appeal, Front Line Defenders urges Georgian authorities to:
– Reverse the decision to freeze the accounts of Human Rights House Tbilisi and Shame Movement, allowing them to access funds for ongoing operations.
– Stop using financial actions to cripple human rights advocacy within the country.
– Halt disparaging statements against human rights organisations that undermine their credibility.
– Guarantee a protective environment where human rights defenders can operate without fear of retaliation, adhering to international human rights commitments.
On 17 March 2025, five human rights organisations in Georgia, including Human Rights House Tbilisi and the Shame Movement, had their bank accounts frozen due to alleged support for protesters involved in violent demonstrations against the Georgian Dream Party. Human Rights House Tbilisi advocates for human rights defenders, while the Shame Movement pushes for democratic reforms. Following investigations into their activities, Front Line Defenders condemned the actions taken against these organisations and called for an immediate reversal of the financial freeze and protection for human rights defenders.
The recent freezing of bank accounts belonging to key human rights organisations in Georgia raises alarming questions about the treatment of civil society and protests. The actions taken by the Prosecutor’s Office cast a shadow over the rights of organisations tasked with protecting individual freedoms. This situation underlines the urgent need for the Georgian authorities to respect human rights defenders and ensure that they can operate without fear of state reprisal. The international community remains critical and supportive of the fight for human rights in Georgia, urging a return to normalcy and cooperation with civil society.
Original Source: www.frontlinedefenders.org
