Riot police use water cannon and tear gas to disperse protesters gathered outside parliament building during a protest against bill on foreign influence transparency in Tbilisi, Georgia on March 07, 2023. (Photo by David Mdzinarishvili/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Georgian parliament must reject “Transparency of Foreign Funding” law
IMS calls against the adoption of the Russian-style law on “Transparency of Foreign Funding” in Georgia. If approved, the legislation would have a serious negative impact on the already shrinking space for civil society and independent media in the country
IMS calls against the adoption of the Russian-style law on “Transparency of Foreign Funding” in Georgia which on 7 March passed 76-13 in the first reading in the Georgian parliament.
The law would require non-profit organisations and media receiving foreign funding to register as “foreign agents” in Georgia.
If approved, the legislation would have a serious negative impact on the already shrinking space for civil society and independent media in the country which serves the wider public interest. It would also undermine future progress towards EU integration.
“The bill is clearly against the desire of Georgian people for democratic development and EU integration. The legislative proposal is against international human rights standards and will adversely impact the future prospects of democratic development in Georgia.” says Gulnara Akhundova, Regional Director for Eastern Europe and Global Response Department at International Media Support (IMS).
