Georgian NGOs call for international probe into alleged chemical agent use at protests

A group of Georgian non-governmental organisations has called on the head of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to consider sending a fact-finding or investigative mission to Georgia, citing alleged human rights violations during protests in Tbilisi last year.

In a joint statement on Monday, the organisations said they had appealed to the OPCW’s Director-General, UN special rapporteurs and the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights regarding the conduct of law enforcement during large-scale demonstrations held in November and December 2024.

According to the statement, information submitted to international mechanisms relates to seven protest incidents in Tbilisi. The NGOs allege that police used chemical substances for crowd control, including chemical irritants mixed into water cannons, as well as other identified or unidentified toxic or experimental compounds.

They claim that, based on documented cases, medical studies, testimony from those affected and investigations by international media, the substances used did not produce short-term effects typically associated with riot control agents. Instead, they allege protesters suffered prolonged health problems, including severe respiratory issues, chemical burns, nervous system damage and vision impairment, some persisting long after exposure.

The organisations said these effects suggested that either the chemical agents used, or the methods of their deployment, exceeded internationally accepted standards.

The statement also criticised a five-day inquiry conducted by Georgia’s State Security Service, saying its conclusions raised further questions rather than providing clarity. The NGOs noted that the agency confirmed the Interior Ministry possessed a toxic chemical substance identified by the code UN1710, but denied its use only on the night of 4–5 December, leaving unanswered questions about its possible use on other occasions.

They argued that the inquiry failed to properly examine or disclose key information, including expert assessments and laboratory test results, and said this highlighted the absence of an effective, independent and credible domestic investigation mechanism.

Given the concerns, the NGOs said they had formally urged the OPCW Director-General to use his mandate to assess the possibility of deploying a fact-finding or investigative mission to Georgia. They also called on UN and Council of Europe officials to respond within their mandates, ensure international oversight and support efforts to establish the truth and protect the rights of those affected.

The organisations said their aim was not only to investigate alleged past violations but also to prevent similar incidents in the future.