Contentious 'Foreign Agents' Law Comes into Effect in Georgia

As of August 1, a controversial law titled “Transparency of Foreign Influence” has come into effect in Georgia, inciting massive protests across the country. According to dw.com, the legal norm requires non-governmental organizations and media outlets that receive at least 20 percent of their income from abroad to register with the National Agency of Public Registry.

Organizations falling under the law's jurisdiction are obligated to submit annual income and expenditure statements to the Ministry of Justice. Failure to comply will result in a fine of 25,000 lari (approximately 8,500 euros).

The adoption of this controversial law has sparked protests since mid-April. Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili vetoed the document, labeling it a copy of the Russian law on “foreign agents”; however, the ruling “Georgian Dream” party overcame the president’s veto thanks to its parliamentary majority. Later, Zurabishvili filed a lawsuit with the Constitutional Court.

Meanwhile, the Georgian government argues that the so-called “foreign agents” law will strengthen state sovereignty and reduce societal polarization. The “Transparency of Foreign Influence” law has drawn criticism from the European Union and the United States. EU leaders have suspended Georgia's process of joining the European Union and frozen 30 million euros intended for defending the sector in Tbilisi.

In turn, the U.S. has imposed visa restrictions on several Georgian politicians and law enforcement officers, as well as announced a review of cooperation with Georgia. Specifically, Washington has halted 95 million dollars in aid to Tbilisi and indefinitely postponed joint exercises under the “Valued Partner” framework.