15,000 dalasis (USD 223) or a year in jail, for carrying out female genital mutilation on eight girls. This was the first ever conviction for female genital mutilation in Gambia. A project led by the International Fund for Agricultural Development was implemented during the year to increase women’s access to land. The initial data collected between the end of 2022 and the beginning of 2023 revealed that although Gambian laws grant women equal ownership rights, there is often confusion between customary practices and legal systems, to the detriment of women. A report issued by the Gender Management Information System revealed that between January and July, Gambia registered 117 cases of rape and 310 cases of gender-based violence. RIGHT TO HEALTH In October, the case initiated by 19 families against the Ministry of Health, the Attorney General, the Medicines Control Agency and an Indian pharmaceutical company, went to trial after a cough syrup allegedly killed more than 60 children in 2022. After discovering that the medicines were not registered with the agency – as required by law – the government fired two of its executives, and stated that it was considering legal action against the Indian pharmaceutical company. RIGHT TO A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT The government set up a USD 25 million programme named “PROREFISH Gambia” to reinforce climate resilience in the fishing sector. Its implementation was planned for the 2023 to 2029 period in partnership with the Food and Agricultural Organization, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Fisheries and Water Resources. In May, Amnesty International published a report highlighting the negative impact of overfishing on socio-economic and environmental rights in the coastal town of Sanyang, including by foreign industrial trawlers and a fishmeal factory based there.1 1. Gambia: The Human Cost of Overfishing, 31 May 176 GEORGIA Georgia Freedom of expression came under attack. Law enforcement officials used unnecessary and excessive force to break up peaceful protests. Selective justice and politically motivated prosecution of government opponents persisted. Police failed to adequately protect a Pride event. Violence against women and girls remained commonplace. Reports of arbitrary detentions of civilians in the breakaway territories persisted. BACKGROUND The ruling party continued to consolidate power, attempting to restrict freedoms and undermine civil society through various actions, including proposing legislation resembling the Russian “foreign agent” law. Georgia’s political divide and public protests intensified as the government’s commitment to EU membership was increasingly questioned in view of growing ties with Russia and an increase in anti-Western rhetoric. In November, underscoring popular support, the European Commission recommended granting Georgia EU candidate country status, conditional on, among other things, improving the rule of law, addressing political polarization and strengthening judicial independence. This status was granted in December. Migration from Russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine continued to contribute to spiralling inflation, a cost-of-living increase and economic inequality. FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION The right to freedom of expression came under increased attack, especially following widespread demonstrations in March, which forced the government to recall the draft Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence targeting independent, foreign-funded organizations and media outlets as foreign agents of influence. The State of the World’s Human Rights