Thousands of people took to the streets in Georgia on Tuesday to protest a bill aimed at curbing the influence of “foreign agents”. Opponents fear the law could be used to silence government critics. Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the demonstrators.
Violence was used in the protests. Thousands of people continued to protest against the legislation in the capital Tblisi well into the night.
A majority of Georgia’s parliament approved the bill on Tuesday. The idea of the law is that organizations must disclose financial transactions from abroad. Organizations become so-called “foreign agents” if more than 20 percent of the company’s funding comes from abroad.
But the demonstrators fear that those critical of the government will be silenced by the law, which they say “feels strongly Russian”.
In Russia, any organization or individual receiving financial support or assistance from abroad can be declared “foreign agents”. Since the start of the war against Ukraine, Russia has become increasingly harsh against critical voices in the country. They do this, among other things, by means of this law.
On Monday, clashes broke out in parliament between deputies from the governing party and the opposition. Short fights ensued.
Civil rights activists in Georgia also fear that the new law could jeopardize prospects for joining the European Union.
