The NGO GYLA (Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association) expresses its solidarity with the free media. The statement notes that press freedom in Georgia is under extremely serious threat.
The organization emphasizes that Georgia is a country where it is unsafe for journalists to perform their professional duties.
GYLA points out that hostile rhetoric against journalists, attacks, and the obstruction of their activities are frequently observed in the country, yet there is a complete lack of any legal response.
“May 3 marks World Press Freedom Day. GYLA expresses its solidarity with the free media!
In Georgia, press freedom is at extremely high risk. Media outlets operate under conditions of consolidating authoritarianism, characterized by a systemic narrowing of civic space, the formation of a legislative environment that restricts media activities, and the creation of hostile conditions for journalists,” the lawyers write.
GYLA emphasizes that journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, a laureate of the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, is a political prisoner. The organization itself is representing her interests in the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).
The lawyers indicate that three of her complaints have been filed:
- regarding the selection of detention as a preventive measure;
- concerning the administrative offense case;
- regarding the fact of ill-treatment.
The NGO reports that a fourth complaint is being prepared, related to a politically motivated criminal case.
“For journalists, Georgia is not a safe place to perform professional duties — to date, no one has been punished for the mass violence against journalists during the protest actions in November–December 2024.
Hostile rhetoric, attacks, and the obstruction of their activities are frequently recorded, to which there is no legal reaction, further strengthening the sense of impunity,” the statement by the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association reads.