TBILISI: Georgia is currently facing significant protests in response to a proposed law that many see as a potential threat to media freedom and the country’s aspirations to join the European Union. The bill, which is nearly identical to one that was withdrawn last year due to street protests, would require media and nongovernmental organizations to register as “pursuing the interests of a foreign power” if they receive more than 20 per cent of their funding from abroad.
Supporters of the bill, primarily from the governing Georgian Dream party, argue that it is necessary to prevent harmful foreign influence and destabilization of the country’s political scene. However, opponents view the bill as a “Russian law” that could hinder Georgia’s prospects of joining the European Union. They believe that the bill’s presence in parliament is a sign of Moscow’s influence over Georgia, given the strained and turbulent relations between the two countries since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
The protests have been ongoing for several days, with thousands of demonstrators besieging the parliament building in an attempt to block the bill’s passage. Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowds, resulting in over 60 arrests and several injuries, including the chairman of the United National Movement, Levan Khabeishvili. The parliament canceled its scheduled session on Thursday due to damage to the building during Wednesday’s protests.
The European Union has expressed concern over the proposed legislation, with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, saying that the law is not in line with EU core norms and values and could negatively impact Georgia’s progress on its EU path. Borrell warned that the final adoption of this legislation would limit the capacity of civil society and media organizations to operate freely, potentially limiting freedom of expression and unfairly stigmatizing organizations that deliver benefits to the citizens of Georgia.
Supporters of the bill, primarily from the governing Georgian Dream party, argue that it is necessary to prevent harmful foreign influence and destabilization of the country’s political scene. However, opponents view the bill as a “Russian law” that could hinder Georgia’s prospects of joining the European Union. They believe that the bill’s presence in parliament is a sign of Moscow’s influence over Georgia, given the strained and turbulent relations between the two countries since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
The protests have been ongoing for several days, with thousands of demonstrators besieging the parliament building in an attempt to block the bill’s passage. Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowds, resulting in over 60 arrests and several injuries, including the chairman of the United National Movement, Levan Khabeishvili. The parliament canceled its scheduled session on Thursday due to damage to the building during Wednesday’s protests.
The European Union has expressed concern over the proposed legislation, with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, saying that the law is not in line with EU core norms and values and could negatively impact Georgia’s progress on its EU path. Borrell warned that the final adoption of this legislation would limit the capacity of civil society and media organizations to operate freely, potentially limiting freedom of expression and unfairly stigmatizing organizations that deliver benefits to the citizens of Georgia.
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