US Embassy expresses concern over creation of Georgia's hate speech unit
The US Embassy in Georgia says it is concerned by the creation of a new hate speech unit, according to a written response to a request from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
The unit was established under the Ministry of Internal Affairs and began operating on 1 June 2026. According to the official description, it is responsible for “monitoring and taking legal action in response to hate speech, abusive campaigns and aggressive communication in the public sphere.”
The embassy stressed that the administration of President Donald Trump and the United States regard freedom of speech as a fundamental pillar of a functioning society and strongly oppose censorship.
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty sent its request to the US Embassy on 22 July, after journalist Vakho Sanaia was sentenced to 14 days in administrative detention over a Facebook post insulting members of the ruling Georgian Dream party — Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili and MP Vlado Bozhadze.
What the embassy said
“The Donald Trump administration has made it clear that the United States views freedom of speech as a fundamental pillar of a functioning society, and we strongly oppose censorship and restrictive laws used to silence people whose views are deemed undesirable.
As we have shared with our Georgian partners, stability requires a political opposition that engages with state institutions on behalf of the citizens who elected it. Political stability, underpinned by broad representation of different views, is among the factors that make Georgia a reliable partner for US investment, security cooperation and a long-term strategic partnership.
We are concerned by the Georgian government’s creation of a hate speech unit. The best response to falsehoods and misguided views is more free speech, not enforced silence.”
Georgia’s hate speech unit
