European court rule on foreign agent law not expected before next year, deputy Justice Minister

Georgia’s Deputy Justice Minister Beka Dzamashvili has said that the European Court of Human Rights was reviewing complaints from three organizations and three individuals regarding the Foreign Agents Registration Act.

Dzamashvili on Wednesday claimed that the cases were being handled under standard procedures without any acceleration, and that a decision was not expected before next year.

“The European Court sent complaints from three organizations and three individuals, claiming the law violates rights under the European Convention. These complaints were submitted in August last year, and the court sent them to the government nearly nine months later,” he said.

He added that the court has not ordered the suspension of the law and has posed questions to both the complainants and the government. Dzamashvili noted that the ruling could set a precedent, given that similar laws exist in other countries, including the US.

The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association said today that the European Court has begun substantive consideration of the case.