The law requires media outlets and other organizations that receive at least 20% of their funding from abroad to register as “agents of foreign influence.”
Police and protesters were involved this Tuesday in clashes in front of the Parliament of Georgiawhere the second reading is debated Controversial law on foreign agents.promoted by the ruling party and the target of criticism from the European Union (EU) and the Georgian political opposition, which considers it a “Russian law.”
Police used tear gas and water cannon to protect themselves from protesters, who threw eggs and bottles at security forces. There were also several police charges against the crowd.
The protesters, who headed towards Parliament in the capital, Tbilisi,They equipped themselves with flags and posters to express their rejection of the lawwhich was approved this Monday by the Legal Affairs Commission, according to the Interpress news agency.
‼️ Demonstrations are again being held in front of the Georgian parliament against the scandalous law on “foreign agents”.
Clashes with police are reported. pic.twitter.com/fWukzuuMAO
— NEXT (@nexta_tv) April 30, 2024
The Ministry of the Interior recalled, in a statement, that “It is prohibited to block access to administrative bodies and hinder their activities”Therefore, he asked the organizers and participants of the protest not to break the law.
The Georgian president, Salomé Zurabishvili, has already announced that she will veto the law, criticized because will harm freedom of expression and fundamental rights of the Georgian population if it is approved in second and third reading in Parliament.
The law will require all organizations, media outlets and similar entities that receive at least 20 percent of their funding from abroad to register as “agents of foreign influence”.
In Tbilisi, Georgia, serious clashes are taking place between police and protesters against the “foreign agents law.” https://t.co/U3RuEL5Hk5 pic.twitter.com/3ucpPfhTdP
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) April 30, 2024
The text is the same as in 2023, although with some modifications. However, last year, the opposition and part of society demonstrated against this legislative proposal because it was a demonstration of sympathy towards Russia.
The Government led by the ruling Georgian Dream party, for its part, rejected these accusations and argued that the proposal would simply serve to have a list of organizations financed by foreigners.
Critics of this law also point out a possible deviation from the path of European integration.
Police in Georgia????????? using pepper spray against peaceful protesters who refuse to live under Russian rule.pic.twitter.com/egUpkUGtQU
— Foreign Policy (@ForeignpolicyWB) April 30, 2024
On Sunday, 20 thousand people participated in a “march for Europe” in the capital of Georgiacalling once again for the bill to be withdrawn.
The text, which brought thousands of Georgians to the streets since it was presented for the second time in Parliament in mid-April, was denounced for its similarity to a law adopted in Russia, which allowed, in just a few years, to silence the opposition. to Vladimir Putin.
It also generated concern in Brussels, which warned that the adoption of this type of law could reduce Georgia’s chances of EU membership.
Source: Observadora
