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Georgia Lawmakers Pass Controversial 'Foreign Agents' Law

2024-05-14 14:32:28, Kosova & Bota CNA

Georgia Lawmakers Pass Controversial 'Foreign Agents' Law

Lawmakers in Georgia have approved the controversial "foreign agents" bill on third and final reading.

During the session, 84 legislators voted for, while 30 others were against the document transformed into law.

For several weeks in a row, tens of hundreds of Georgians have protested against the bill, which has been pushed forward by the ruling party, Georgian Dream.

Protests have been violently suppressed several times with water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets, while protesters have also been attacked by gangs or looters in the late hours of the night.

The law will require organizations that receive more than 20 percent of funding from abroad to register as foreign influence agents.

In case of non-registration, the closure of the entities is foreseen as well as severe fines.

Opponents consider the document a "Russian law", comparing it to Russian legislation used to target critics of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

However, the Government of Georgia has said that the draft law is necessary to promote transparency, to fight "pseudo-liberal values" promoted by foreigners, and to preserve the sovereignty of the state.

The law could face the veto of the president of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili.

However, the parliament will be able to reject that decision through an additional vote./ REL





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