Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International urged on Tuesday Georgia’s Parliament lawmakers to rebuff the controversial “foreign agent” law that, according to critics, will seriously impact freedoms.
Describing the law as incompatible with international human rights law and standards that protect the freedom of expression and association rights, the watchdogs said in their statement that Georgia lawmakers should firmly reject the legislation.
According to provisions of the bill, individuals, civil society organizations, and media outlets receiving more than 20 percent in funding from abroad will be obliged to register with the Justice Ministry as “agents of foreign influence.”
The “foreign powers” are defined in the bill as foreign government agencies and citizens, legal entities not established under Georgian legislation, as well as associations, foundations, companies, unions, and other organizations under international law.
This mirrors Russian legislation that has restricted independent journalists and democratic institutions’ work in the country.
Any suspected “agent of foreign influence” that fails to register or submit the full financial declaration will be fined GEL 25,000 (US$ 9,600), as the bill’s provision says.
While the ruling Georgian Dream party expressed public support for the bill, it has triggered strong criticism from Georgian civil society groups, multilateral organizations, and bilateral partners.
It has also prompted verbal and physical confrontations between MPs from the ruling party and opposition parties as well as peaceful protests outside the parliament building, which resulted in the arrest of 36 people.
According to Hugh Williamson, Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch, the proposed legislation seeks to marginalize and discredit Georgia’s independent, foreign-funded groups and media that serve the wider public interest in the country.
Williamson underscored that the bill would have a serious chilling effect on groups and individuals working to protect human rights, democracy, and the rule of law since it clearly aims to restrict critical groups and crucial media, hence violating Georgia’s international obligations.
