On January 29, 2025, 24 nations invoked the Moscow Mechanism of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to address escalating human rights issues in Georgia. This expert mission aims to investigate the situation, focusing particularly on events since spring 2024.
Moscow Mechanism and Its Purpose
The Moscow Mechanism, part of the OSCE’s human dimension framework, facilitates the establishment of expert missions to probe serious human rights violations within member states. The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) administers this mechanism, which has been activated 17 times since its inception in 1991.
Countries Involved
- Albania
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Canada
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- Germany
- Ireland
- Iceland
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- The Netherlands
- Norway
- Slovenia
- Ukraine
- The United Kingdom
- Sweden
SWEDISH AMBASSADOR’S STATEMENT
Ambassador Anna Olsson Vrang, Sweden’s Permanent Representative to the OSCE, expressed growing concern regarding Georgia’s human rights situation during her address in Vienna. The objective of this mission is to evaluate Georgia’s adherence to its OSCE commitments, emphasizing developments since the spring of 2024.
Previous Mechanisms Invoked
This invocation follows the Vienna Mechanism’s earlier activation in December 2024, where 38 states urged Georgia to address specific human rights concerns amidst ongoing pro-EU protests. The ambassador stated that concerns regarding Georgia’s adherence to shared human rights commitments have escalated.
Georgia’s Response Options
Per OSCE protocols, Georgia typically has ten days to accept the invitation for an expert mission. If the nation declines, six participating states can form a group of independent rapporteurs to conduct the investigation without Tbilisi’s consent. Should Georgia agree to the mission, it may suggest one human rights expert from a predetermined list.
Looking Ahead
The 24 countries have communicated their desire to collaborate with the ODIHR in organizing this mission. The intention is to facilitate constructive dialogue while ensuring the protection of human rights in Georgia, particularly following their engagement with Georgian delegations in 2025.
This latest move illustrates ongoing international scrutiny and concern regarding human rights practices in Georgia and reflects broader commitments to uphold human rights within the OSCE framework.
