Lawyer accuses ruling authorities of undermining ‘even moral principles’ in NGO data dispute

Lawyer Nika Simonishvili on Thursday accused the ruling Georgian Dream party of violating not only legal norms but also basic moral principles in its reported efforts to obtain personal data from non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

In his press comments, Simonishvili said recent requests for NGOs to disclose information about their beneficiaries were a clear breach of privacy and ethical standards.

“For two days, non-governmental organizations have been feeling the most painful thing about being asked to disclose information about their beneficiaries,” Simonishvili said. “They are not refusing to reveal financial data - they are being asked to disclose personal information about thousands of people they have supported in various ways.”

Simonishvili condemned what he described as an erosion of core democratic values.

“Leaving aside legal principles, the Georgian Dream party is turning even moral principles upside down. If someone comes to me and asks for their own information, even if they hang me upside down, I am obliged not to disclose this information.”

Simonishvili’s comments come amid increasing concern from civil society groups in Georgia. Several NGOs this week claimed the Anti-Corruption Bureau was seeking sensitive information about individuals who have received assistance from these organizations.

Rights groups warn that such demands, if enforced, could have a chilling effect on civil society and represent a broader trend of pressure on NGOs in Georgia.