The Georgian Parliament on Wednesday approved a controversial bill on the installation of temporary constructions, like tents, during protests in the country in its first reading, amid the claims by the opposition the amendments could pose threats to the right of expression and assembly.
The bill says demonstrators will not be allowed to set up temporary constructions if they pose a threat to the participants of the assembly or demonstration or other persons, prevent the protection of public order and security by the police, cause disruption of the normal functioning of an enterprise, institution or organization, or is not related to a rally.
The ruling party proposed the bill following the claims by the country’s State Security on September 18 that former officials under the previous United National Movement Government were planning unrest in the country this fall.
The party officials claimed this week the amendments aimed to prevent provocations.
In its statement of Monday, the SSS accused USAID of funding a training in Tbilisi last month for the unrest, which the US State Department and the country’s Embassy in Tbilisi have rejected as “false”.
The Georgian Dream officials, however, called on USAID to make clarifications and react to the accusations, adding it was a “black day” in the history of the US aid to Georgia.
Two readings are left for the final approval of the bill, which is being considered in an accelerated manner.