On 14 May 2024, the Georgian parliament, despite ongoing mass protests inside the country and numerous calls from the international community, adopted a highly controversial bill “On Transparency of Foreign Influence” in the third reading. The draft law requires all non-governmental organizations and media outlets that receive more than twenty per cent of their annual funding from abroad to register as “organizations pursuing the interest of a foreign power” with the Ministry of Justice. It also imposes additional reporting requirements for these organizations, inspections, and administrative liability for violations (for both legal entities and individuals), including fines of up to 9,300 USD in equivalent.
This bill, if enacted, would stigmatize civil society activities and independent media and provide authorities with new tools to crack down on dissent and free spirit in the country. It poses a threat to all Georgian civil society groups that promote democracy and human rights.
In the document you can read ECOM’s position on this issue.