In a stark move against civil liberties, Georgian authorities have frozen the bank accounts of five NGOs that supported protesters by providing financial and legal aid. Denis Krivosheev, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director, has condemned this action, stating it is a blatant assault on human rights that seeks to undermine the right to peaceful assembly and association, violating Georgia’s international obligations. He demanded an immediate stop to the crackdown on civil society and the lifting of asset freezes.
On 17 March, three NGOs—Nanuka’s Fund, Prosperity Georgia, and Human Rights House Tbilisi—were notified by banks of a court injunction to freeze their accounts. Two other organisations, Fund for Each Other 24/7 and Shame Movement, also suffered similar fates. These funds have been instrumental in helping individuals fined for participating in anti-government protests or dismissed from jobs due to activism. Activists warn that these actions threaten to extinguish the entire protest movement.
Nanuka Zhorzholiani first alerted the public about her fund’s frozen assets, and the others quickly confirmed similar actions against them. The authorities provided no prior warning concerning financial irregularities. The Prosecutor’s Office claims the assets were seized amid a probe into alleged “sabotage”, linking the funds to purported violence and property damage, yet no substantial evidence has been presented to the public.
The Georgian Dream party has ramped up its attacks on civil society through manipulative legal means, employing legislation that tightens restrictions on free expression and public gatherings. Recent changes to the “Law on Assemblies and Demonstrations” include severe fines, extensions of detention periods from 15 to 60 days, and bans against actions like obscuring one’s face. Coupled with these changes, new restrictions on NGOs and independent media threaten to control financial streams and penalise dissenters, further endangering the right to peaceful assembly and inflicting harsh legal and financial implications on protesters.
Georgian authorities have frozen the bank accounts of five NGOs aiding detained protesters, seen as a significant step against civil liberties. This action has been condemned by Amnesty International as a violation of human rights, threatening the right to peaceful assembly. The crackdown includes harsh legal amendments aimed at suppressing dissent and civil society.
The freezing of NGO bank accounts in Georgia marks a significant escalation in the government’s repression of civil liberties and dissent. International observers like Amnesty International have highlighted these actions as violations of human rights, urging immediate cessation of such practices. As laws grow increasingly restrictive, the foundations of civil society and peaceful protest appear perilously threatened, underscoring the urgent need for protection of democratic rights.
Original Source: www.amnesty.org
