Thousands of people gathered in the capital of Georgia demonstrating against the new law passed by the ruling government of Georgia. The protesters are angry with the way parliament started the process of passing the bill. The protesters believe that they have been taken away from the European Union and NATO.
According to the new draft bill, the non-government groups and media will come under scrutiny if the foreign fund is above 20%. The NGOs which receive 20% or more will be declared as “Foreign Agents”. Those non-governmental groups who will not follow the rule will be fined $9,600 US dollars.
The law was to bring transparency in the foreign funds by NGOs. But the critics say this is against the principles of democracy. There have been many similar laws implemented in other nations which led to huge human rights violations.
There has been criticism over the bill from the international community too. The critics have said the new draft bill is inspired by Russia. A similar kind of bill was passed in Russia to stop dissent from the opposition or the international community. The protesters believe that Russia has a role in this new draft bill.
There was a huge clash between the police and the people. Police hit back with tear gas, water canons and stones. Further, the protest escalated and took a violent turn. The police arrested several protesters from the public rally. The protesters chanted “ no to Russian law”
Hindrance to join the NATO and EU
Since Russia invaded Ukraine, there have been deep tensions in many small and non-nuclear states of Europe. Before the breakdown of the Soviet Union. Georgia was part of the Soviet bloc. The citizens of Georgia are pro-western European values. Russia – Georgia doesn’t have a formal diplomatic relationship.
Many countries have given their long-held neutrality to join NATO. Georgia is one of those who are eager to join NATO and the European Union for security reasons. There is a danger to the future of the country because of the authoritarian rule of Russia.
This law pulls back the country to come closer to NATO joining deal. Though, Georgia has applied the joining the European Union. The EU has been quite open in granting the status of membership to the country.
European Union officials reacted to the bill and called it “incompatible with the EU Values. The US government agency also said the present government of Georgia is embracing the path of Russia.
Government withdraws the bill after two days of protest
After two days of huge protests. The government decided to withdraw the new draft bill. The opposition parties have been protesting too. Now they demand the release of the protesters who were detained.
The ruling party Georgian Dream said in their official statement that the bill has been unfairly labelled. Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili criticised the reaction to the proposal.
The protesters hailed the flags of the European Union and Ukraine in the public rally. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wished them democratic success and thanked them for holding the Ukrainian Flags.
Though the bill has been withdrawn. Still, there is unclarity about future measures. The opposition said they will stage a new rally in the evening to get clarity.
