Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of New Zealand

01/26/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/26/2026 14:33

Human Rights Council 51st Session of the Universal Periodic Review – Georgia

Ministry Statements & Speeches: 26 January 2026

Delivered by Senior Multilateral Adviser Clare van Bohemen Hunter.

Mr Vice President,

We welcome the delegation from Georgia.

New Zealand expresses our concerns over the deteriorating human rights situation in Georgia since its last review, particularly reports of violence and intimidation against civil society actors.

New Zealand recommends that Georgia:

  1. Implement all recommendations of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in its report on the Georgia Elections of October 2024.
  2. Repeal the "Transparency of Foreign Influence" legislation and the Foreign Agents Registration Act, both of which affect the freedoms of assembly and expression.
  3. Repeal the "Protection of Family Values and Minors" legislation that severely restricts rights for members of the LGBTQI+ community.

We thank the delegation for their participation today.

Thank you Mr Vice President.

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