On attempts to reintroduce a foreign agent law in Georgia and its restrictions on civil society
B-9-2024-0251
on behalf of the ECR Group · Rapporteur: Anna Fotyga, Jacek SaryuszWolski, Adam Bielan, Witold Jan Waszczykowski, Hermann Tertsch, Andżelika Anna Możdżanowska, Dominik Tarczyński, Assita Kanko, Beata Kempa, Elżbieta Kruk, Roberts Zīle, Joachim Stanisław Brudziński
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The resolution condemns Georgia's proposed 'foreign agents' law, which would require foreign-funded NGOs, media, and trade unions to register as organizations pursuing foreign interests, and calls on the government to reject it.¶¶ It expresses solidarity with Georgian civil society, criticizes the use of force against protesters, and calls for the release of former President Saakashvili on humanitarian grounds.¶¶¶ It also calls for sanctions on oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili and for international monitoring of the 2024 elections.¶¶
Key points
- Calls on Georgia's Government to reject the proposed 'foreign agents' legislation and renew its commitment to democracy.¶
- Stands in full solidarity with the Georgian people and civil society, which has played an active role in democratisation and Euro-Atlantic integration.¶
- Sees the bill as a deliberate action by the Georgian Dream party to limit Western engagement and make Georgia more open to Russian influence.¶
- Is concerned about excessive use of force against peaceful protesters and calls for the bill to be dropped once and for all.¶
- Reminds the Georgian Government that a large majority of the population supports EU accession.¶
- Deplores the role of Bidzina Ivanishvili and calls on the Council and EU partners to consider imposing personal sanctions on him.¶
- Underlines that the Georgian Government bears full responsibility for former President Saakashvili and calls for his release on humanitarian grounds.¶
- Calls on international institutions to closely monitor the electoral process in Georgia ahead of the upcoming elections.¶
Who is affected
- Georgia's Government and ruling party: urged to reject the law and ensure civil society freedom.¶¶
- Georgian civil society, NGOs, media, and trade unions: would be affected by the law's registration requirement.¶
- Bidzina Ivanishvili: potential target of personal sanctions.¶
- Former President Mikheil Saakashvili: calls for his release and medical treatment abroad.¶