This week, the Georgian parliament is poised to vote on a controversial bill imposing severe criminal penalties on activists and NGOs that refuse to register as “foreign agents.” Those tagged by the government must disclose any foreign financial backing and submit financial declarations, marking their public statements as from a “foreign agent.” This move echoes a prior law that provoked massive protests across the nation following its announcement.
Activists and organisations face a grim ultimatum if they resist compliance: either be branded with the dishonour of “foreign agent” or suffer severe penalties, including hefty fines or a prison term of up to five years. This disheartening choice not only breaches essential human rights but also threatens to banish Georgia’s civil society into exile or encourage it to cease operations entirely.
The ruling party, Georgian Dream, is steering the nation further into a deepening human rights catastrophe. Their descent into authoritarianism surged after the November 2024 decision to abandon plans for EU accession, igniting a wave of widespread protests that continue to echo through the streets of Tbilisi today.
In an aggressive response to these largely peaceful demonstrations, the government resorted to tear gas, water cannons, and rubber bullets. Numerous protesters were beaten and detained, facing brutal treatment including torture under new amendments to the criminal and administrative code. These include punitive measures for criticising officials and enabling preventive detentions based on prior offences.
Such measures not only raise serious concerns about human rights violations but the new bill starkly contradicts Georgia’s obligations to international treaties protecting freedom of expression and association. Should the bill be enacted, it could signify the death knell for civic engagement in Georgia, cementing a bleak future for its democratic aspirations.
The Georgian parliament is set to vote on a bill criminalising NGOs and activists not registering as “foreign agents,” with severe penalties for non-compliance. This move mirrors previous controversies and risks erasing civil society in Georgia, with widespread protests in response to the ruling party’s authoritarian shift. The government’s violent crackdown on demonstrators and amendments limiting freedom of speech raise serious concerns about human rights violations.
In conclusion, the impending vote on this bill represents a perilous turn for Georgia’s civil society, imposing stark choices that infringe upon fundamental rights. The government’s drive toward diminishing dissent raises alarm over civil liberties, threatening the survival of democratic ideals and civic engagement in the country. With the ongoing protests revealing the populace’s resistance, it is crucial for the bill to be rejected to safeguard the essence of democracy in Georgia.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
