Public Defender Levan Ioseliani has emphasized that freedom of expression, even when used to pursue political goals, must not be aimed at harming or degrading individuals. This principle is grounded in Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, as interpreted by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).
“The Strasbourg Court protects even the most critical and harsh opinions, including those that may be offensive or shocking to the majority of society. However, it does not protect hate speech, bullying, incitement to violence, or the use of profanity directed at public figures,” said Ioseliani.
He underlined that the right to free expression is not absolute, and must be exercised within the boundaries of respect for human dignity.
“The expression of opinion, even for political purposes, must not aim to harm or degrade a specific person. This is the standard set by the Strasbourg Court through its interpretation of Article 10, supported by a number of rulings on the matter,” he noted. “Ultimately, the specifics of each case and the evidence presented will determine whether such expressions fall within the permissible limits of the law.”
His statement comes amid ongoing court proceedings at the Tbilisi City Court, where journalists, politicians, and civil activists have been summoned for statements made on social media targeting representatives of the ruling Georgian Dream party. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has issued administrative violation protocols against the individuals involved, seeking monetary fines for the content of their posts.
