Georgia Urged by UN, EU to Exercise Caution Over Controversial 'Foreign Agents' Bill as Massive Protests Continue

Notable figures in the international community have urged the Georgian Government to avoid implementing a controversial "Foreign Agents" Bill which has caused protests across the Eastern European country.

The UN rights chief Volker Türk urged Georgian authorities to withdraw the draft law, expressing concern about police violence against protesters. "I urge Georgian authorities to withdraw this draft law, and to engage in dialogue, including with civil society and media organizations," Türk said.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also weighed in, stating, "The Georgian people want a European future for their country. Georgia is at a crossroads. It should stay the course on the road to Europe." Georgia, a country of 3.7 million people, has been seeking to join the European Union and distance itself from Russian influence since the fall of the Soviet Union.

The proposed law has raised concerns that it could undermine Georgia's democratic progress and give the government greater control over civil society organizations. Gert Jan Koopman, head of the European Commission's enlargement directorate, warned that "there are concerning developments in terms of legislation. The law ... as it stands is unacceptable and will create serious obstacles for the EU accession path."

The bill has passed its first and second readings in Georgia's parliament but must still pass a third reading and be signed into law by the president. Georgia's pro-EU President Salome Zurabishvili has vowed to veto the bill, but the ruling Georgian Dream party has enough seats in parliament to potentially override this.

The us ambassador to Georgia, Robin Dunnigan, has said that the Georgian government's choices "have moved the country away from its Euro-Atlantic future." The protests in Tbilisi have been ongoing for weeks, with tens of thousands of people participating. Protesters have been gathering nightly outside the parliament building, with lawmakers coming to blows inside the building.

Why this matters: Tens of thousands of protesters have gathered in Heroes' Square in Tbilisi, Georgia, to demonstrate against a proposed law on "foreign agents" that critics say is modeled after a Russian law. The bill, which was approved by Georgia's parliament on Wednesday, would require organizations receiving more than 20% of their funded from abroad to register as agents of foreign influence.

The outcome of this protest could have significant implications forGeorgia's bid to join the European Union and its ability to distance itself from Russian influence. If the law is passed, it could undermine Georgia's democratic progress and give the government greater control over civil society organizations, potentially setting a dangerous precedent for other countries.

The protests, which have blocked the major traffic hub of Heroes' Square, have sparked a political crisis in Georgia. The European Union, the United States, and other international organizations have warned that the law could harm Georgia's bid to join the EU and move away from Russian influence.

The standoff is seen as part of a wider struggle that could determine whether Georgia moves closer towards Europe or back under Moscow's influence. Protester Giorgi Loladze, 27, from Kutaisi, said, "We are all together to show the Kremlin's puppets that we will not accept the government that goes against the Georgian people's wishes."

The ruling Georgian Dream party claims the law is needed to ensure transparency, but critics argue it is authoritarian and Kremlin-inspired. Despite international warnings, the government has shown no sign of backing down, which could be damaging ahead of a parliamentary election in October.

Key Takeaways

• Tens of thousands protest in Tbilisi against "foreign agents" law.
• Law would require organizations with >20% foreign funding to register as foreign agents.
• EU, US, and UN warn law could harm Georgia's EU bid and democratic progress.
• Georgia's president vows to veto the bill, but ruling party may override.
• Protests and international pressure may determine Georgia's path to Europe or Russia.