Georgia’s recently adopted so-called agent law could mean serious restrictions on independent organizations and media. Foreign-funded organizations need to register as representatives of foreign powers or risk heavy fines.
The law has caused the EU to react. Stopped financial support and exclusion from heavy political meetings could have consequences for Georgia, which in recent years has been moving closer to the Union.
– The door is open for Georgia to become a member of the EU. But if the government continues on the same path, with what they are doing, the door will be closed, EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell warns on the way to Monday’s meeting with EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg.
“Thinks the government will use the law to keep quiet”
Independent media are particularly vulnerable to the agent law. Especially those like Project 64, which publishes partially government-critical video journalism on the web.
– I think the government will use the law to silence critical and independent media, as well as non-governmental organizations. It will be very problematic, says Margarita Antidze, journalist at Projekt 64.
But the law also affects completely non-political activities. SVT’s emissaries have visited a meeting point for children with Down syndrome, which may now be forced to close.
See more in the clip above.