Georgia’s democracy at risk amid push for Russian-style governance, NGO Head tells US Senate

Eka Gigauri, the Head of Transparency International (TI) – Georgia, expressed deep concern over the recently adopted controversial Foreign Influence Transparency Law in Georgia, saying the Georgian government has crossed “red lines” in its pursuit of a Russian-style political system.

In her speech at the hearing held in the US Senate on Thursday Gigauri stressed that the adoption of recent laws in Georgia marks a disturbing trend. She emphasized that if democracy is defeated in Georgia and the country is drawn into Russia’s orbit, it would mean the end of any future democratic aspirations.

“This so-called agents’ law was directly inspired by a law passed in Russia, which the Russian government uses against its citizens. To combat this law, we need to unite and resist. In Georgia, this means the US must take a firmer stance, as it has in the past, to safeguard the country’s democratic values,” Gigauri said.

She underscored that the responsibility for defending democracy lies primarily with the Georgian people.

“Freedom is not a gift; it must be fought for. Where democratic movements are strong and backed by the majority of the population, and with US support, it is possible to resist,” she added.

Gigauri emphasized that the upcoming elections in October will serve as a referendum on Georgia’s future—whether the country will become a part of Europe or remain a satellite of Russia.

“If Georgia falls under Russian influence, we lose a chance of becoming a democratic state. It means Russia will extend its control over our territory, and its goals are clear—to silence free speech. This law is the perfect tool for that,” the NGO head stressed.

Gigauri noted the personal toll the law had taken, mentioning that she and her family had been subjected to verbal attacks. She explained that the law was intended to legitimize repression, and as part of this, the Georgian government had begun labeling their allies, including the United States, as part of a “global war party.”

Additionally, she pointed out that NGOs were being targeted, branded as foreign agents, and threatened with account freezes and closure if they did not comply with registration requirements.

“We are in a critical fight for the future of our country. We are not alone, and we must ensure that those responsible for passing these laws are held accountable and face sanctions,” she declared.