More than 100 Georgian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and media outlets issued a joint statement on Monday condemning the ruling Georgian Dream party’s attempt to introduce what it calls a “Georgian translation” of the United States’ Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).
The proposed legislation has been described by critics as an attempt to stifle civil society and media freedom, similar to restrictive laws enacted in Russia.
The signatories argue that, unlike the US FARA, which does not impede the work of independent NGOs and media, the Georgian government’s version “seeks to replicate laws used in authoritarian states to suppress dissent.”
They accused the government, “led by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili,” of “systematically targeting civil society organizations through legal and political pressure.”
In their statement, the NGOs reaffirmed their commitment to upholding Georgia’s constitution and serving the interests of the Georgian people.
“Every act of Ivanishvili’s illegitimate parliament that restricts people’s freedom is anti-Georgian and unconstitutional,” the statement reads.
“Tightening an already unenforced Russian-style law to intimidate citizens with criminal prosecution is also anti-Georgian and unconstitutional.”
The groups warned that the proposed law was part of a broader effort to “erode democracy in Georgia.” They also cited previous concerns raised in 2023, when they predicted that such legislation would be expanded to apply to all citizens and significantly curtail their rights, mirroring crackdowns in Russia and other authoritarian regimes.
“The initiation and adoption of this law signify a shift in the country’s foreign policy and a betrayal of the Georgian Constitution,” the statement continued. “This was confirmed by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s statement on November 28, 2024”, when he announced the halt in the country’s EU integration.
The signatories accused the government of “seeking to consolidate power by suppressing any opposition and restricting support for vulnerable communities.” They claimed that recent political arrests, media restrictions, and repressive measures against activists were part of a broader crackdown.
“For the third year in a row, Georgian civil society has made it clear that we will not live under Russian laws,” the statement concluded. “Russian law, in any form, will never be Georgia’s choice.”
The joint statement has been signed by a broad coalition of civil society organizations, human rights groups, media outlets, and advocacy groups, including Transparency International Georgia, the Georgian Young Lawyers Association, and the Social Justice Center, among many others.
The Georgian government has defended the proposed legislation, claiming it was simply a localized adaptation of the US FARA law and did not aim to curtail freedoms.
