Georgia faces more protests this week as lawmakers resume debate on a "foreign agents" law that opponents denounce as a Russian-inspired tool to crack down on freedom of speech. The bill would force organisations receiving more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register as foreign agents, a term that carries connotations of spying.

Tbilisi

Georgia is currently witnessing significant political turmoil as it contends with widespread protests over a controversial "foreign agents" law. The legislation in question, which is currently under debate by lawmakers, requires organizations receiving over 20% of their funding from international sources to register as foreign agents. This label is fraught with negative implications, including associations with espionage activities. Critics are vocal in their condemnation of the bill, asserting that it mirrors tactics employed by Russia to suppress free speech and dissent.

In support of the government's stance, thousands of supporters of the ruling party led by Irakli Garibashvili have been mobilized from across the country. They argue that the financial support given to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) purportedly to aid the country is, in reality, a strategy to undermine Georgian sovereignty by bolstering foreign intelligence operations. The government has been accused of employing Soviet-era propaganda techniques to defend the bill, an accusation that comes amidst reports of civil servants being coerced into publicly supporting the government's agenda.

On the flip side, a formidable wave of anti-government sentiment is manifesting through continuous protests. Detractors of the bill express fears that its implementation will not only erode the nation's democratic foundations by stifling freedom of expression but also jeopardize Georgia's aspirations of joining the European Union. The country, which had been granted EU candidate status, finds its potential membership at risk, with warnings from Brussels indicating that the adoption of such a law may hinder its accession to the bloc.

The protests represent a broader dissatisfaction with the direction of the country's governance, especially in light of attempts to pass similar legislation in the past. The public outcry had previously led to the withdrawal of the bill, showcasing the robust civic engagement of the Georgian populace in safeguarding their rights and freedoms. As discussions around the bill resume, the country stands at a critical juncture, facing choices that could profoundly impact its political trajectory and international relationships.



Georgia at political crossroads as 'foreign agent' bill draws protests

It's a rally against the rallies. Bust in from across the country, thousands of supporters gather to back the ruling party led by Irakli Garibashvili as parliament looks to discuss a new bill that's been causing an uproar across Georgia. The financing of NGOs who portray themselves as helpers is in reality a means of strengthening intelligence agencies and bringing them to power. This money has nothing to do with help, in fact their only aim is the fall of Georgian sovereignty. The president called the process a Putin-type action, saying civil servants had been brought to Tbilisi to applaud the party's decisions, with reports that some government employees had been forced to attend. At the same time, anti-government protesters continue to take to the streets to oppose what they say is a Russian-inspired law. The bill plans to make it compulsory for organisations that receive more than a fifth of their funding from abroad to register as foreign agents. And critics say this resembles Russian laws used to crack down on freedom of speech. The government uses the old Soviet techniques, the propaganda that they are pushing is absolutely you can read between the lines any time, it's very low grade. I hope that we will be part of Europe, I hope we will have a free choice and I hope no one will stop going to these free and peaceful protests against our government. People here fear the law could hamper the country's chances of joining the European Union after it was awarded EU candidate status in December. It's their second wave of protests against the bill, after they succeeded in pressuring lawmakers to abandon the project last year. Brussels has warned that if the text is adopted, it could well prevent Georgia from joining the bloc.

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Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

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The Hague

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New York

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Council of the City of Sydney

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Nouméa

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Bamyan

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Cebu City

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Rafah

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Jerusalem

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Kharkiv

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Bangkok

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Rouen

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Handlová

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