Ruling MP claims NGOs haven’t filed ECHR complaint over Transparency Law

Georgian Dream MP Nino Tsilosani asserted that, despite harsh criticism, no Georgian NGOs have submitted a complaint to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) over the newly enacted Foreign Influence Transparency Law. Tsilosani claimed that, despite predictions that the law would harm Georgian democracy, NGOs had yet to take substantial legal action in Strasbourg.

The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) countered this claim, confirming that the complaint was sent to the ECHR on October 17, 2024, and officially received on October 22, 2024. This evidence directly contradicts Tsilosani’s remarks, in which she implied that NGOs had only shared vague tracking information rather than formal proof of submission.

“When the Foreign Influence Transparency Law was being passed, the NGO sector warned of a ‘funeral for democracy.’ Given such strong rhetoric, it’s surprising they still haven’t filed their case with the Strasbourg court,” Tsilosani commented, casting doubt on the NGOs’ commitment to opposing the law.

The Foreign Influence Transparency Law mandates that organizations receiving over 20% of their income from foreign funding register as “foreign agents,” a requirement that has drawn significant national and international concern. Critics argue the law mirrors Russian tactics to suppress independent civil society, while Georgian Dream officials maintain that it is a necessary step for transparency. Watchdogs and opposition leaders, however, view it as a covert effort to stifle dissent and undermine democratic freedoms in Georgia.