After the Constitutional Court rejected suspending the controversial "Russian law", Georgian CSOs, media representatives, and individuals launched a new phase of their challenge by filing an appeal with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg. Supported by 16 media organisations, 120 CSOs, and 4 individuals, the appeal argues that the legislation violates several rights protected by the European Convention on Human Rights.
The applicants argue that the law violates the right to freedom of assembly and association (Article 11), freedom of expression (Article 10), the right to respect for private and family life (Article 8), and protections against discrimination (Article 14). Additionally, they contend that the law denies effective legal remedies (Article 13) and imposes undue restrictions on fundamental rights (Article 18).
The Georgian Constitutional Court has been criticised for failing to act decisively against the law, which civil society sees as a breach of its constitutional duty to protect fundamental freedoms and uphold Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations.
The continued legal challenge against the "Russian law" underscores the critical struggle between democratic aspirations and restrictive legislative measures stifling dissent in Georgia. As civil society presses for international recognition of these violations, the outcome of this legal battle will have significant implications for the future of civic freedoms and Georgia's path toward European integration.