European Commission report: Civil society, including human rights defenders, operates in a repressive environment, they are facing increasing threats - აn additional concern is the application of criminal law against civil society actors

Civil society, including human rights defenders (HRDs), operates in a repressive environment, which continues to deteriorate. The role of civil society as a democratic watchdog has been compromised and organisations and HRDs are facing increasing threats, - reads a report on Georgia, prepared as part of the European Commission’s 2026 enlargement package.

“The cumulative effect of a frequently changing repressive legal framework and intimidation practices threatens the survival of independent civil society and has resulted in a further shrinking of the civic space.

An additional concern is the application of criminal law against civil society actors, including criminal investigations into ‘sabotage’, ‘assisting foreign organisations in hostile activities’, ‘financing activities directed against the constitutional order, and ‘damage to state interests’.

These actions are coercive and ultimately inconsistent with democratic pluralism. They are incompatible with the EU integration process”, reads the report.