**38 Countries Urge Georgia to Respond to Human Rights Concerns**
Yesterday, 38 member states of the Organization for Security and Co–operation in Europe (OSCE) called on the Georgian government to answer questions about human rights abuses. The move was led by the Netherlands.
According to a statement from Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp, these countries are concerned about reports of violence against protesters, journalists, and politicians in Georgia. They want the Georgian authorities to address the issues raised by the international community.
**Which Countries Are Involved?**
The 38 OSCE member states that have activated the Vienna Mechanism include Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Moldova, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
**What Do the Countries Want to Know?**
The 38 countries have asked the Georgian authorities a series of questions. These include:
* What steps are being taken to investigate allegations of human rights abuses against protesters, journalists, and politicians?
* How is Georgia investigating reports of torture and cruel treatment?
* What actions are being taken to prevent violence by unidentified groups and ensure accountability for perpetrators?
* Are measures in place to protect civil society, journalists, and media representatives from risks to their personal health and safety?
**What Happens Next?**
The OSCE member states expect written responses to these questions within the next 10 days.