Georgia | HCRW

Georgia regularly reports hate crime data to ODIHR. Since 2020, Georgia has published an annual report on hate crime data following an inter-agency memorandum on co-operation. Georgia implemented ODIHR's Training Against Hate Crime for Law Enforcement (TAHCLE) programme in 2019 and the Prosecutors and Hate Crime Training Programme (PAHCT) in 2017.

In 2023, Georgia introduced the National Strategy for the Protection of Human Rights, 2022-2030, which covers fundamental rights and freedoms with a particular focus on protecting vulnerable groups. In October 2023, a new memorandum was signed by state institutions representing the police, prosecution and judiciary to reflect additional responsibilities on collecting and publishing statistical data on hate crime.

SELECT YEAR

Download the 2014 hate crime report for Georgia

OFFICIAL DATA REPORTED BY STATES

Year	Hate crimes recorded by police	Prosecuted	Sentenced
2023	1,824	1,218	756
2022	1,802	1,172	585
2021	1,703	834	321
2020	989	253	109
2019	775	183	32
2018	344	151	58
2017	86	44	11
2016	42	42	15
2015	22	5	5
2014	19	7	8
2013	Not available	Not available	Not available
2012	13	5	Not available
2011	19	1	Not available
2010	41	11	Not available
2009	41	11	Not available

Download official data

National developments

The Ministry of Internal Affairs proposed amendments to the criminal code, including public incitement to violence as a new substantive offence. The draft is being discussed in the Parliament.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs adopted an instruction improving the responses to hate crimes. The document obliges relevant staff to immediately initiate investigations, to improve data collection mechanisms by indicating bias motive, and to generate statistical data regarding hate crimes. Also, based on the instruction and in compliance with recommendation made by the Public Defender, during 2015, relevant departments of the Ministry of Internal Affairs are obliged to provide proposals on the establishment of specialized groups to investigate hate crimes.

KEY OBSERVATION

ODIHR observes that Georgia has not reported on hate crimes separately from cases of hate speech and/or discrimination.

Incidents reported by civil society, international organizations and the Holy See

Download incident data

Reports

Anti-Muslim hate crime

The Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center reported, via the Heinrich Böll Foundation (HBF), a series of physical assaults carried out by a group against Muslims taking part in a gathering. The Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center, via the HBF, and the Public Defender's Office of Georgia, via the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), reported an incident in which a pig’s head was hung at the entrance of a site planned for a Muslim school.

Hate crime against Christians and members of other religions

The Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center reported, via the Heinrich Böll Foundation (HBF), an attack carried out by a group against Jehovah's witnesses during a religious service.

Anti-LGBTI hate crime

The civil society group Article 42 of the Constitution reported, via the Heinrich Böll Foundation (HBF), two incidents of physical assaults: including one against a gay man and two transgender people that caused serious physical injuries to the man; and one separate assault against a transgender woman.

Transgender Europe, the Women’s Initiatives Supporting Group (WISG) via the HBF, Identoba and the Georgian Young Lawyers' Association (GYLA) reported the murder of a transgender woman in her home, which was later set on fire; and a physical assault against a transgender woman.

WISG, via the HBF, reported a further physical assault against a transgender woman, which rendered her unconscious. Identoba reported a further six physical assaults, including five carried out by a group, one of which resulted in serious injury, and all of which were against men; one arson attack against the home of a lesbian woman; one attempted physical assault; and four threats.

INTERNATIONAL REPORTS

No information is available.