Despite widespread protests, the bill on the registration of media and non-governmental organizations receiving funding from outside Georgia was approved.
In Georgia, the country’s parliament will approve a controversial bill today, according to which media and non-governmental organizations that receive more than a fifth of their funding from outside Georgia must register as promoters of foreign interests.
There has been strong opposition to the bill since April. According to opponents of the motion, the law is intended to silence the opposition and its purpose is to bring Georgia back into Russia’s sphere of influence.
At the same time, according to the protesters, the adoption of the law would severely hinder the possible acceptance of Georgia as a member of the European Union.
Yesterday, hundreds of protesters surrounded the Parliament of Georgia until the late hours of the evening. After nightfall, many left but promised to return today.
Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze said yesterday that the bill would be passed. Kobakhidze warned that if the authorities gave in, Georgia would lose its right to self-determination.
Yesterday, the United States urged the Georgian leadership to stay on the path leading to EU membership and reminded that the disputed bill leads in the opposite direction.
This is what the bill is about
Demonstrators are opposing the proposed law dubbed Russian law. A similar law has been used in Russia to crush civil society and silence critical voices.
According to the demonstrators, the government is now sympathizing with Russia, which wants to block Georgia’s EU membership in every way.
The bill proposes that if a media or non-governmental organization receives more than a fifth of its funding from abroad, it must register and disclose its source of funding. Violations would result in huge fines.
Protesters also fear that the law could be used to suppress critical voices. Georgia will hold parliamentary elections later this year.
According to supporters of the bill, the law would increase the transparency of the funding of non-governmental organizations.
It is not the first time that the current administration of Georgia has made such a statement. A year ago, the administration abandoned the legislative initiative after large-scale protests.