Georgian parliament “must reject” bill on foreign agents – Transparency International

Transparency International, a global civil organization, on Wednesday slammed the Georgian bill on foreign influence proposed by former members of the ruling Georgian Dream party and stressed the country’s parliament “must reject it”. 

 

TI said it was “alarmed” by the legislative initiative proposed by the People’s Power – a movement created last year by former members of the GD who still remain in the parliamentary majority – that, if adopted, will require non-profit organisations 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. It would also undermine future progress against corruption in Georgia”, TI said. 

 

In contrast to the claims of the authors of the bill and the head of GD Irakli Kobakhidze that the initiative was in “full accordance with democratic values”, the organisation claimed the draft law mirrored the “oppressive legislation adopted in Russia in 2012 and expanded in 2022, which continues to be strongly condemned by the international community”. 

 

TI added that over 350 non-governmental organisations – including Transparency International Georgia – had denounced the proposed bill, “highlighting how its passage would hurt not only them but the vulnerable populations that they serve”. 

 

The organization noted despite “wide protest”, leaders from the ruling party have voiced their support for the bill, “continuing to retaliate against independent actors”.

 

“A vibrant civil society is one of Georgia’s greatest assets. The proposed legislation is not about transparency but about labelling and demonising independent civil society. If passed, it will also derail future progress in a wide range of areas, including anti-corruption”, Delia Ferreira Rubio, chair of Transparency International, said.