Large-scale rallies continue in Georgia regarding the signing of the law on “foreign agents” (video)
Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia Shalva Papuashvili signed the law on “foreign agents”, which caused controversy both domestically and internationally. This law enters into force after signing. Georgians staged large-scale protests against this law. The opposition claimed that he was copying the Russian law on foreign agents.
It is noted that on May 28, the Parliament of Georgia overrode the veto of President Salome Zurabishvili – 84 deputies voted for it, 4 voted against. According to the Constitution of Georgia, if the president refuses to sign the law after overcoming the veto, then it is signed and published by the speaker of the parliament within 5 days
According to the law, within two months (until the beginning of August), relevant bodies must adopt by-laws, and the Ministry of Justice of Georgia and the National Public Registry Agency must conduct “preliminary logistical and other measures for the implementation of this law.”
The new law requires non-profit organizations and media receiving at least 20% of their funding from abroad to register as “foreign agents” and submit annual declarations. If the “foreign agents” do not comply with the requirements of the law, they will be fined 25,000 lari (approximately 371,000 hryvnias).
The Venice Commission of the Council of Europe recommended that Georgia repeal this law in its current form.
