https://arab.news/7j72h
- Georgia鈥檚 law is inspired by US legislation which makes it mandatory for any person or organization representing a foreign country, group or party to declare its activities to authorities
BRUSSELS: A new law in Georgia that from Saturday requires NGOs and media outlets to register as 鈥渇oreign agents鈥� if they receive funding from abroad is a 鈥渟erious setback,鈥� for the country, two top EU officials said.
Alongside other laws on broadcasting and grants, 鈥渢hese repressive measures threaten the very survival of Georgia鈥檚 democratic foundations and the future of its citizens in a free and open society,鈥� EU diplomatic chief Kaja Kallas and EU enlargement commissioner Marta Kos said in a joint statement.
They stressed that the law, which they dubbed a tool 鈥渂y the Georgian authorities to suppress dissent (and) restrict freedoms,鈥� jeopardized the country鈥檚 ambitions of one day joining the European Union.
鈥淕eorgia鈥檚 Foreign Agents Registration Act marks a serious setback for the country鈥檚 democracy,鈥� they said.
Georgia鈥檚 law is inspired by US legislation which makes it mandatory for any person or organization representing a foreign country, group or party to declare its activities to authorities.
But NGOs believe it will be used by Georgia鈥檚 illiberal and Euroskeptic government to further repression of civil society and the opposition.
The Black Sea nation has been rocked by daily demonstrations since late last year, with protesters decrying what they see as an increasingly authoritarian and pro-Russia government.
Tensions escalated in November when Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced that Georgia would postpone EU membership talks until 2028.
鈥淭he EU is ready to consider the return of Georgia to the EU accession path if the authorities take credible steps to reverse democratic backsliding,鈥� Kallas and Kos said in their statement.