Opposition MP calls for continued rallies in Tbilisi against transparency bill

Opposition MP Khatia Dekanoidze on Wednesday issued a rallying call for citizens to converge in central Tbilisi to persist in their protests against the ruling party proposed foreign transparency bill after its adoption in second reading the previous day despiste mass protests. Emphasizing the gravity of the situation, Dekanoidze urged the public to join together at the parliament at 19:00 to demonstrate their opposition to the legislation and to affirm Georgia’s commitment to its chosen European direction.

The lawmaker claimed the postponement of foreign minister’s hearing in the legislative body was connected to “fair”. 

“This delay signifies fear, particularly in light of yesterday’s significant parliamentary vote where 83 deputies endorsed what is colloquially termed the ‘Russian law’. It underscores a worrying shift away from Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic trajectory. It’s evident that they are reluctant to face us in the parliamentary hall, especially in the wake of overwhelming public support”, Dekanoidze claimed. 

Georgia’s foreign partners have cautioned Georgian authorities that passing the foreign transparency bill could hinder the country’s progress toward EU accession. The bill mandates that NGOs register and submit financial declarations annually if they obtain more than 20 percent of their funding from abroad, with penalties of 25,000 GEL for non-compliance.

Western-funded NGOs and media outlets contend that their financial transparency and compliance are already evident, suggesting that the government’s true aim is to restrict organizations addressing human rights and corruption.

The bill has caused mass protests in Tbilisi last year, when the bill was retracted, and now, after its resubmission by the ruling power in March.