Hundreds of protesters have clashed with police in Georgia’s capital, bills after parliament backed a controversial draft law which critics say limits press freedom and suppresses civil society.
Protests erupted in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi Wednesday after Georgia’s parliament endorsed a “foreign agent” bill. If it passes, the bill would require individuals and organizations to register as “foreign agents” if they meet certain qualifications. Should the designated individuals and organizations fail to do so and live up to strict reporting requirements, they would face fines and potential prison time.
The bill of chaos
A bill introduced by the Georgian government in the parliament led to the battle. Protesters besieged the parliament building in the capital Tbilisi to oppose the bill. The situation went out of control when the police used water cannons to stop the protesters. More than 50 policemen were injured in the clash between the police and the protesters.
Parliament’s majority party, known as the People’s Power Party, initially proposed the bill. The bill, “On Transparency of Foreign Funding,” would require all civil society organizations and media that receive at least 20 percent of their funding from foreign sources to register as “foreign agents” or face a fine of 25,000 (US $9,600). Once registered, designated foreign agents would face strict reporting requirements, inspections and potential criminal and administrative liability. A “more severe” second draft bill expands the requirement to register as a “foreign agent” from organizations to individuals. It also increases the penalties for the failure to fulfill its requirements from fines to five years in prison.
What followed the bill?
The police took 66 people into custody, including opposition leader Zurab Zaparidz. There were also reports that Zurab was badly beaten. This bill brought by the government of Georgia is not only protesting in the country but also internationally. According to this, NGOs and media organizations with more than 20 percent foreign funding will have to declare themselves as foreign agents. Failure to do so will result in imprisonment and heavy fines.
Riot police used water cannons and pepper spray to disperse the crowds outside the parliament building.
Some protesters were seen falling on the ground and coughing, while others waved EU and Georgian flags.
The government says several policemen were hurt and police gear was damaged.
What caused the refusal?
There has been widespread international condemnation of the bill, which would require non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and independent media, who receive more than 20 percent of their funding from abroad, to declare themselves as foreign agents.
The opposition described it as a Russian-style law that would stigmatise and clamp down on Georgia’s vibrant civil society and independent media. Further protests outside parliament have been called for Wednesday.
US state department spokesman, Ned Price, said the draft legislation would be a tremendous setback and “would strike at some of the very rights that are central to the aspirations of the people of Georgia”.
