Mariam Tsertsvadze, the co-founder of an animal charity in the Georgian capital Tbilisi, is one of thousands engaging in nightly protests over a government bill on "foreign agents" that critics have condemned as authoritarian and Kremlin-inspired.

Tbilisi

Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, has recently experienced a surge in nightly protests, triggered by a contentious government bill on "foreign agents." This legislation has been met with widespread criticism for its perceived authoritarian nature and alleged inspiration from Kremlin policies. Protesters, among them Mariam Tsertsvadze, co-founder of an animal charity, are actively opposing this bill. The proposed law mandates organizations receiving over 20% of their funding from international sources to register as agents of foreign influence, a requirement seen as potentially detrimental to local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) focused on societal improvement and human rights within Georgia.

The bill is feared to significantly hamper the operations of numerous NGOs, including those like the Animal Project, which Tsertsvadze co-founded and which benefits from Western funding. Critics argue that this act could isolate Georgia from Western support, impeding collaborations and aid from international partners. This concern is heightened by previous incidents of police employing tear gas, stun grenades, and water cannons to disperse demonstrators, showcasing the government's stance towards opposition.

At its core, the ongoing protests and the controversial bill reflect a deeper geopolitical struggle regarding Georgia's future orientation—whether it will align more closely with European values or fall under increased influence from Moscow. The draft legislation is reminiscent of similar laws in Russia used to quash dissent. The ruling Georgian Dream Party defends the bill as a measure to increase transparency. However, opponents, including Tsertsvadze, view it as a dangerous pivot that could alienate Georgia from its Western allies and jeopardize its aspirations towards European Union candidacy.

With Georgia's troubled history of turmoil, war, and revolution since its independence from the Soviet Union, the current standoff is more than a legislative dispute; it represents a critical juncture in the country's pursuit of democratic ideals and international partnership. Protesters like Tsertsvadze remain steadfast, viewing their cause as a defining moment in Georgia's modern history.



Tbilisi rocked by clashes over 'foreign influence' bill

Maryam Sertspadze chugs a cup of coffee, packs a gas mask, and heads out the door of her Tbilisi apartment. Despite running on little sleep for the past few weeks, she says she's full of energy. She's one of thousands of Georgians engaging in nightly protests against a government bill on so-called foreign agents. It would require organizations receiving more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register as agents of foreign influence. Critics have condemned it as authoritarian and Kremlin-inspired. Sertspadze, who is the co-founder of the charity Animal Project and receives funding from Western donors, fears the legislation would undermine her work. It's very insulting and demeaning to us because all we do, all the local NGOs do, is to work for the Georgian society. The normal NGOs that work on human rights, that work with the regional organizations, they have very limited resources there and we all need this help from international organizations and donors. And they are putting such a barrier with this new bill that nobody can do anything right now and Georgia will be left completely isolated from the West. At previous protests, police have cleared crowds with tear gas, stun grenades, and water cannons. The draft law has drawn comparisons to laws used to suppress dissent in Russia, with whom Georgia fought and lost a short war in 2008. The ruling Georgian Dream Party says the bill will promote transparency. For Sertspadze, the bill is high stakes. As a citizen of Georgia, I fear that it will completely change the foreign curse for Georgia and we will be left completely isolated from the Western world because everybody, our partners from the EU, US saying that this bill, if it's passed, it's going to be, it's going to close so many doors that we worked so hard so many years to be open, especially with the EU candidacy right now. The standoff is part of a wider struggle that could determine whether Georgia moves closer towards Europe or back under Moscow's influence. Georgia, a country of 3.7 million people, has seen turmoil, war, and revolution since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Sertspadze says she and her fellow protesters are determined to continue demonstrating. Either you are on the right side of the history or you are on the wrong side of the history. I believe, I strongly, strongly believe that I am on the right of the history.

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