Protests against a proposed law have rocked Georgia for almost a month. The bill making its way through parliament would force organisations to register as 'foreign agents' if they get more than 20 percent of their funding from abroad.

Tbilisi

In Georgia, a controversial proposed law is drawing significant public opposition, leading to almost a month of protests. This legislative proposal demands that organizations, including media and NGOs, which receive more than 20% of their funding from foreign sources, register as 'foreign agents'. The capital of Georgia, Tbilisi, has been the epicenter of large rallies against this bill.

The demonstrators are adamant in their demands for the government to retract the proposed bill and to release individuals who have been detained in relation to the protests. They argue that the implications of this law transcend individual or organizational interests, positioning it as an issue that could pivotally redefine Georgia's geopolitical alignment. Critics fear it could align Georgia more closely with Russia, detracting from its aspirations to join the free world.

Proponents of the bill defend it as a necessary measure to protect Georgia's sovereignty from what they perceive as detrimental foreign influences. They argue that the legislation is milder compared to similar laws in countries like the United States, the European Union members, Canada, and Australia, aiming to reinforce the nation's autonomy against strong external influences.

International reactions have been swift, with Western leaders indicating that the passage of the bill could jeopardize Georgia's aspirations for European Union membership. Critics within Georgia, including voices like Zaza Bevilashvili, oppose the bill on the grounds that it misidentifies the source of threats to the nation, suggesting instead that internal elements are more aligned with Russian interests than with those of the West.

This legislative initiative is not new but follows previous attempts by the Georgian Dream Party to enact similar regulations, which were abandoned following mass protests. Despite ongoing demonstrations, the bill is slated for its third and final reading later in the month, signaling a significant political stand-off, especially with parliamentary elections on the horizon.



Georgia protesters fight 'foreign agents' bill

Georgians have been at the center of these protests. They have threatened to continue their demonstrations until their demands are met. The capital, Tbilisi, has seen days of large rallies prompted by a proposed foreign influence bill. If adopted, the new law would require all media and NGOs receiving 20 percent of their funding from abroad to register as agents of foreign influence. The protesters are calling on their government to withdraw the bill and release all those recently detained. The stakes are much higher than just my NGO or all of the NGOs combined. The stakes are so high that it means that this law will draw a new dividing line between the Russian world and the free world. And this line will keep Georgia on the Russian side of that wall. Supporters of the proposed law say it's needed to combat what the government sees as harmful foreign influence on Georgia's politics, adding it's not Russia but the West that is undermining Georgia's sovereignty. The act is way softer compared to the similar one in the United States or in some member countries of the European Union, Canada or Australia. The reason for adopting this bill is to strengthen the sovereignty of Georgia, as the foreign influence coming from abroad is strong. The Western leaders have already said that if the bill is passed, we will lose an opportunity to join the European Union. That's what this whole fuss is about. But Zaza Bevilashvili disagrees. The fundamental problem with this law is that it says the enemy is elsewhere, the enemy is in the West. In reality, the enemy is here, we know who they are and now they are fully synchronized with the Russians. The bill is similar to the one the governing Georgian Dream Party was pressured to withdraw last year after mass protests. So far, these demonstrations have not stopped the bill. It's third and final reading is scheduled for later this month. The proposed law and popular discontent have been a challenge for the governing Georgian Dream Party, especially ahead of parliamentary elections in October. After three weeks of protests, neither the opposition nor the government appears prepared to give in. Yulia Shapovalova, Al Jazeera, Tbilisi, Georgia.

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