According to the disputed draft law, all organizations that receive more than a fifth of their funding from abroad must register as a “foreign agent” under the threat of substantial fines.
In Georgia, thousands of people have demonstrated against the draft law on “foreign agents”. The demonstrations that started on Tuesday have continued until the night before Wednesday.
In the country’s capital, Tbilisi, police used tear gas and water cannons to break up the protests. The protesters are said to have thrown stones and petrol bottles again.
According to the country’s Ministry of the Interior, both demonstrators and police officers have been injured.
According to the draft law, which received preliminary support from the country’s parliament, all organizations that receive more than a fifth of their funding from abroad must register as a “foreign agent” under the threat of substantial fines.
The law has been criticized as authoritarian. It is seen as reminiscent of Russia’s 2012 law on foreign agents, which has been used in Russia to suppress dissidents.
The president threatens to use the veto
In recent years, Georgia has been criticized for becoming more authoritarian. In June last year, the EU did not grant Georgia candidate status and required the country to make many reforms to advance its EU membership aspirations.
The prime minister of the ruling Georgian Dream coalition Irakli Garibashvili according to the law changes concerning foreign agents would be “in accordance with European and international standards”.
President of Georgia Salome Zurabishvili has said that he supports the protesters. He has said that he intends to use his veto if the legislative initiative approved by the parliament ends up on his desk.
Parliament can override the president’s veto with its decision.
EU’s Borrell: The law is not compatible with EU values
of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy by Josep Borrell according to the law planned in Georgia would be “a very bad direction of development” for Georgia and Georgians.
According to Borrell, the adoption of the law would seriously weaken EU-Georgia relations.
– This law is not compatible with EU values and standards. It is contrary to Georgia’s stated goal of EU membership, which the vast majority of Georgians support, Borrell said in your announcement (you will switch to another service).
Also, according to the US Embassy in Georgia, the draft law is in conflict with Georgia’s EU membership aspirations.
Sources: Reuters, AFP