-
Georgian opposition supporters protest against a draft law on “foreign agents” near parliament epa11311300 A demonstrator holds a flag as Georgian opposition party supporters attend a protest against a draft law on “foreign agents” near parliament in Tbilisi, Georgia, April 30, 2024. The Georgian parliament, against the backdrop of mass protests in Tbilisi, adopted the draft law on foreign agents on first reading. The second reading was scheduled for April 30. For 16 days, opponents of the bill have been gathering in front of the Georgian Parliament and blocking Rustaveli Avenue. Today also they wanted to surround the building to prevent the deputies from leaving, but the police prevented that. EPA/David Medzinarishvili
” data-title=”Georgian opposition supporters protest against a draft law on “foreign agents” near Parliament – Thousands of people in front of the Georgian Parliament against the law on foreign agents – SAPO 24″>
-
Georgian opposition supporters protest against a draft law on “foreign agents” near parliament epa11311298 Georgian police detain participants in a protest against a draft law on “foreign agents” near the parliament in Tbilisi, Georgia, on April 30, 2024. The Georgian parliament, against the backdrop of mass protests in Tbilisi, adopted the draft law on foreign agents in the country on its first reading. The second reading was scheduled for April 30. For 16 days, opponents of the bill have been gathering in front of the Georgian Parliament and blocking Rustaveli Avenue. Today also they wanted to surround the building to prevent the deputies from leaving, but the police prevented that. EPA/David Medzinarishvili
” data-title=”Georgian opposition supporters protest against a draft law on “foreign agents” near Parliament – Thousands of people in front of the Georgian Parliament against the law on foreign agents – SAPO 24″>
-
Georgian opposition supporters protest against a draft law on “foreign agents” near parliament epa11311299 Georgian opposition party supporters attend a protest against a draft law on “foreign agents” near parliament in Tbilisi, Georgia, on April 30, 2024. The Georgian parliament, against the backdrop of mass protests in Tbilisi, adopted a draft law on foreign agents in the country on its first reading. The second reading was scheduled for April 30. For 16 days, opponents of the bill have been gathering in front of the Georgian parliament and blocking Rustaveli Avenue. Today also they wanted to surround the building to prevent the deputies from leaving, but the police prevented that. EPA/David Medzinarishvili
” data-title=”Georgian opposition supporters protest against a draft law on “foreign agents” near Parliament – Thousands of people in front of the Georgian Parliament against the law on foreign agents – SAPO 24″>
-
Georgian opposition supporters protest against a draft law on “foreign agents” near parliament epa11311302 The reaction of a supporter of the Georgian opposition party during a protest against the draft law on “foreign agents” near the parliament in Tbilisi, Georgia, April 30, 2024. The Georgian parliament, against the backdrop of mass protests in Tbilisi, adopted the draft law on foreign agents on first reading. The second reading was scheduled for April 30. For 16 days, opponents of the bill have been gathering in front of the Georgian Parliament and blocking Rustaveli Avenue. Today also they wanted to surround the building to prevent the deputies from leaving, but the police prevented that. EPA/David Medzinarishvili
” data-title=”Georgian opposition supporters protest against a draft law on “foreign agents” near Parliament – Thousands of people in front of the Georgian Parliament against the law on foreign agents – SAPO 24″>
The demonstrators, who headed to the parliament area in the capital, Tbilisi, accompanied by a large police force, carried flags and posters to express their rejection of the law, which was approved by the Legal Affairs Committee on Monday, Interpress news agency.
The Ministry of Interior stated, in a statement, that “it is forbidden to close the entrances to administrative bodies and obstruct their activities,” and therefore it asked organizers and participants in the protests not to violate the law.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has already announced that she will veto the law, which has been criticized as it would harm freedom of expression and fundamental rights of the Georgian population if it is approved in the second and third reading in Parliament.
The law requires all organizations, media and similar entities that receive at least 20 percent of their funding from abroad to register as “agents of foreign influence.”
The text is the same as in 2023, with some modifications. But last year, the opposition and part of society demonstrated against this legislative proposal because it was a sign of sympathy for Russia.
The government led by the ruling Georgian Dream party, in turn, rejected these accusations and said that the proposal would simply create a list of foreign-funded organizations.
Critics of this law also point out that it may deviate from the path of European integration.
On Sunday, 20,000 people participated in a “March for Europe” in the Georgian capital, once again demanding the withdrawal of the draft law.
The text, which has brought thousands of Georgians to the streets since it was presented for the second time in parliament in mid-April, has been denounced for its similarity to a law adopted in Russia, which, in the space of a few years, allowed the silencing of dissent. To Vladimir Putin.
This also raised concerns in Brussels, which warned that adopting this type of law could reduce Georgia's chances of joining the European Union.
“Hardcore alcohol maven. Hipster-friendly analyst. Introvert. Devoted social media advocate.”
