Georgia protests: Police shoo demonstrators away from the legislature

 

55 police officers were reportedly injured during the first night of protests in Georgia, as stones and petrol bombs were hurled at them. The protests were sparked by a draft law that would require NGOs that receive foreign funding to register as “foreign agents”. The law passed its first reading in parliament on Tuesday, prompting fierce opposition from protesters who claim that it is a direct attack on Western values and an attempt to move the country further away from the European Union.

 

Georgian Dream, the ruling party, maintains that the legislation is modelled on a US law from the 1930s, and is not intended to stifle free speech or target NGOs that work in the interests of Georgian society. However, critics have drawn comparisons with similar legislation passed by Russia in 2012, which has been used to suppress independent media and Western-funded NGOs.

 

The controversy surrounding the draft law has brought political tensions in Georgia to the fore, particularly in the wake of Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine. Many Georgians see the conflict as a direct attack by Moscow, and thousands of Russians have fled to Georgia as a result. The government has taken a neutral stance on the issue, refusing to back Ukraine openly or impose sanctions on Russia.

 

Opposition to the draft law has been vocal and widespread, with protesters taking to the streets in their thousands. The demonstrations have been peaceful for the most part, but clashes with police on the first night of protests left dozens injured. Images of water cannons being used to disperse protesters waving EU flags have been widely circulated on social media.

 

The European Union has voiced its concerns about the legislation, with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warning that it is “incompatible with EU values and standards”. Georgia has applied for candidate status with the EU, and is also seeking to join NATO. If the draft law is passed, it could jeopardize these efforts.

 

Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili has pledged to veto the legislation, but Georgian Dream has enough votes to override her veto in parliament. The party has applied to the Council of Europe for its opinion on the matter, but it remains to be seen whether this will have any impact on the outcome. Protests are expected to continue in the coming days, with opposition groups vowing to fight against what they see as an attack on the principles of democracy and free speech.

 

 

 

 

 

Opposition-supporting TV stations have described the proposed legislation as a “Russian law,” and protesters have taken to the streets to demand that Georgia align itself with Western values and join the European Union. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has warned that the law is “incompatible with EU values and standards.”

 

The protests have been ongoing for”several days, with thousands of people taking to the streets to voice their opposition to the bill. Protesters have waved EU flags and chanted slogans in support of Western values and freedom. Many young people have joined the demonstrations, seeing the law as a threat to Georgia’s future as a democratic, European country.

 

Georgian Dream, the ruling party, has defended the legislation, claiming that it is necessary to ensure transparency in the funding of NGOs. However, critics have pointed out that NGOs are already subject to numerous laws and regulations and that the finance ministry already has full access to their financial information.

 

The situation In Georgia has been complicated by Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine, which many Georgians see as a sign of Moscow’s aggression. The Georgian government has taken a neutral stance on the conflict, refusing to impose sanctions on Russia or openly support Ukraine. However, President Salome Zourabichvili has voiced her support for the protesters, vowing to veto the legislation if it reaches her desk. Despite her opposition, Georgian Dream has enough votes to override her veto in parliament.

 

The situation in Georgia remains tense, with protesters continuing to demand that the government abandon the proposed law and embrace Western values. The Council of Europe has been asked to provide its opinion on the legislation, and international observers will be closely monitoring developments in the coming days.