Short Bio
Mariam Gavtadze is a human rights practitioner and co-founder of the Tolerance and Diversity Institute in Tbilisi, Georgia, leading strategic litigation and advocacy on freedom of religion or belief, non-discrimination, and minority rights. She served two consecutive terms (2019-2025) on the OSCE/ODIHR Panel of Experts on Freedom of Religion or Belief and regularly consults for international organizations on human rights issues. Her publications include articles, research reports, policy papers and guidelines on human rights and non-discrimination. Mariam holds a BA in Law and a Master’s degree in International Law.
Examining freedom of religion or belief under autocratization, the research explores how through various interconnected mechanisms autocratizing states may restrict freedom of religion or belief and related human rights.
- “Limitations to Freedom of Religion or Belief in Georgia: Legislation and State Policy,” Religion and Human Rights, vol. 15, 2020
- “Mapping National Responses to Hate Speech in Georgia,” Council of Europe, 2021
- “Guidelines on Identification and Prevention of Racial, Ethnic and Religious Discrimination in the Workplace,” UNDP, 2024
- Forum 18 News Service articles (series)
Guardian of Tolerance Award for special contribution to the culture of tolerance – Council of Religions under the Public Defender’s Office of Georgia (2020)