The US House Foreign Affairs Committee on Thursday passed the MEGOBARI Act, aimed at enhancing Georgia’s capacity for accountability, resilience, and independence to “bolster democracy and counter authoritarian influence”.
The Mobilising and Enhancing Georgia’s Options for Building Accountability, Resilience, and Independence Act, commonly known as the MEGOBARI Act, was approved by an overwhelming majority of 41 congressmen, with only six voting against it.
The bipartisan bill, introduced by US House Helsinki Commission Chairman Joe Wilson (R-SC) alongside Congressmen Steve Cohen (D-TN), Richard Hudson (R-NC), and Marc Veasey (D-TX), represents a “commitment from the US to support Georgia’s democratic aspirations and counter external threats, particularly from Russia”.
The Act underscored the US policy to uphold democratic values, human rights, and the rule of law in Georgia. It highlights the significant progress made by Georgian civil society and stressed the importance of strengthening democracy for regional stability and US interests. In light of recent “democratic backsliding” in Georgia, the Act called for increased oversight of the Georgian government and its alleged connections to Russia and other authoritarian regimes.
To ensure accountability, the Act mandated several reports on alleged corrupt practices in Georgia that support Russian interests and sanctions evasion, the penetration of Russian intelligence in Georgia and potential cooperation with China, and the identification of individuals “undermining democracy” in Georgia, imposing sanctions and travel bans on them.
It said a new working group would be created to monitor and promote a democratic environment in Georgia, particularly during October general elections, ensuring fair and free electoral processes.
The Act also outlined further US assistance, including negotiating a more favourable trade agreement with Georgia, expanding people-to-people exchanges and simplifying the visa regime, developing an economic and modernization package, and providing security and defence support to counter Russian aggression.
