The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia has published the text of a speech delivered in Vienna by Georgia’s Permanent Representative to the OSCE and Vienna-based international organizations, Aleksandre Maisuradze, regarding the report of the OSCE Fact-Finding Mission established under the “Moscow Mechanism.”
According to Maisuradze, the Georgian government expresses deep concern over the Fact-Finding Mission’s report, which covers events that have unfolded in Georgia since spring 2024.
“The Government of Georgia expresses its profound concern regarding the Report of the OSCE Fact-Finding Mission under the Moscow Mechanism on developments in Georgia since Spring 2024.
While Georgia remains steadfast in its commitment to the OSCE principles and Human Dimension obligations, the Report contains serious factual inaccuracies, selective interpretations, and politically biased conclusions that fundamentally undermine its credibility and objectivity.
From the outset, Georgia maintained serious reservations regarding the potential for selective interpretation and politicization of the procedure of the Moscow Mechanism, which was activated by 23 OSCE participating States.
Nevertheless, in full respect for OSCE norms and in the spirit of constructive engagement, Georgia cooperated fully and transparently with the Fact-Finding Mission.
The expert assigned under the Moscow Mechanism visited Georgia on February 17–18, and the MFA facilitated all requested meetings with Georgian authorities at the highest possible level – the Prime Minister, the Chairman of Parliament, the Minister of Interior, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Education, the Chairman of the High Council of Justice, and the heads of key agencies, including the Prosecution Service, the Central Election Commission, and the Communications Commission, as well as the Public Defender.
Extensive written submissions, legal materials, and access to relevant institutions and documentation were provided to the expert, ensuring that the Mission had the necessary information for an informed assessment.
Despite this cooperation, the Report fails to reflect the complexity of Georgia’s political and legal context, omits critical clarifications provided by competent state bodies, and selectively emphasizes isolated cases as “politically motivated,” disregarding legal safeguards, ongoing judicial processes, and internationally recognized fair trial standards.
The portrayal of the legislation, electoral procedures, and investigative actions concerning protests contains factual inaccuracies and mischaracterizations.
Furthermore, the Report issues recommendations far beyond the scope of the Moscow Mechanism, including urging other international organizations and states to act against Georgia, thereby exceeding the Mission’s authorized mandate.
The Report’s selective presentation and timing indicate a predisposition to politicize the findings, overlooking Georgia’s longstanding achievements in democratic transformation, political pluralism, judicial independence, protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as an over 85% reduction in applications to the European Court of Human Rights in the last decade, reflecting the effectiveness of domestic remedies and institutional reforms.
The extremely limited 14-day timeframe for the Mission, coupled with the fact that the Report was produced just a few days after the visit, further compounded these shortcomings, resulting in an incomplete analysis of voluminous documentation.
Surprisingly, the Fact-Finding Mission failed even to identify the correct official name of the country, repeatedly using “The Republic of Georgia” instead of “Georgia.”
Mr. Chairperson,
The Government of Georgia therefore vigorously rejects the Report’s findings and recommendations and requests that the OSCE and its participating States give due consideration to the legal arguments, achievements, and comprehensive clarifications provided by the Government of Georgia in its extensive Response.
The Response consolidates the official clarifications and positions of the Georgian authorities in reaction to the Fact-Finding Mission’s assumptions.
It also addresses factual inaccuracies, provides omitted context, and demonstrates Georgia’s full compliance with OSCE commitments and international standards.
By presenting these materials, the Georgian side aimed to ensure that the OSCE participating States and international stakeholders have access to the complete factual record, enabling an objective, balanced, and evidence-based assessment of the country’s adherence to its Human Dimension obligations.
It is rather regrettable that participating States were not given enough time to analyze the voluminous materials presented by the Government of Georgia before the Permanent Council meeting.
Mr. Chairperson, colleagues,
Let me reaffirm that Georgia has always acted in a responsible and cooperative manner, with full respect for the OSCE and its independent institutions and mechanisms.
Georgia’s engagement has consistently been guided by a commitment to dialogue, transparency, and good-faith cooperation.
Independence and impartiality are essential to the credibility of any monitoring or fact-finding process.
It is regrettable that we increasingly witness attempts to misuse international organizations and institutions for malign purposes, thereby undermining their credibility and public trust in institutional neutrality.
We should not allow the OSCE to fall victim to such malpractice or to be used as a political instrument. For that reason, we believe that these concerns should be adequately addressed at this Council.
Challenging such an inaccurate and biased Report is a necessary step in defending the integrity of international processes.
Ensuring that expert mechanisms remain independent, balanced, and mandate-bound is in the interest of all participating States and the organization itself.
The Government of Georgia once again appeals to the OSCE and its participating States to give due consideration to the legal arguments provided by the Georgian authorities and to reject and distance themselves from the controversial findings and politically influenced recommendations advanced by the Fact-Finding Mission in disregard of its mandate.
Please enclose this Statement in the Journal of the day,” stated Maisuradze.
