The Georgian government is preparing to target and “persecute” civil society organizations ahead of the country’s general election in October, the head of an NGO has claimed.
The vote, which will pit the incumbent Georgian Dream party against a pro-Western opposition, could define whether the country steers towards the West and EU membership or nestles itself under the wing of Russian influence.
Georgian Dream, which has been in power for 12 years, stands accused by its critics of moving the country towards Moscow, in particular by introducing a law that requires organisations receiving 20% of their funding from abroad to register as “agents of foreign influence”.
The measure, which will come into force in September and which has been bitterly opposed by sections of Georgian society, mirrors similar legislation enacted in Moscow that has helped the Kremlin crush civil society in Russia.
The government and its supporters say the law will enhance transparency, and reject accusations that it was inspired by the Russian legislation.
In an interview for TVP World, George Melashvili, president of the Europe-Georgia Institute, a Georgian civil society organisation, said NGOs will refuse to register as foreign agents despite the prospect of being fined up to $9,400.
The government, he added, will then use the law as a means to target NGOs that might hinder its chances of victory.
Georgian Dream, which has been in power for 12 years, stands accused by its critics of moving the country towards Moscow, in particular by introducing a law that requires organisations receiving 20% of their funding from abroad to register as “agents of foreign influence”.
The measure, which will come into force in September and which has been bitterly opposed by sections of Georgian society, mirrors similar legislation enacted in Moscow that has helped the Kremlin crush civil society in Russia.
The government and its supporters say the law will enhance transparency, and reject accusations that it was inspired by the Russian legislation.
In an interview for TVP World, George Melashvili, president of the Europe-Georgia Institute, a Georgian civil society organisation, said NGOs will refuse to register as foreign agents despite the prospect of being fined up to $9,400.
The government, he added, will then use the law as a means to target NGOs that might hinder its chances of victory.
“Right now, the biggest target [for the government] is the election in October,” said Melashivli. “Because this election is the only chance for Georgia to change course, and to get closer to the Western integration as we were willing to.”
“So right now, the government is preparing. The Ministry of Justice has already created a special department which is specifically [aiming to] persecute civil society organizations. The Minister of Justice, the other representatives of the Georgian Dream government, have already threatened [us] with bigger fines in the future as well. But again, the civil society is ready to fight it.”
Melashvili added that the Georgian Dream will try to “frighten” Georgian society with claims that the country will suffer a grim fate if it moves Westwards.
“Georgian Dream has been trying to frighten the Georgian population for a very long time,” he claimed. “The basic idea of their campaign right now is the belief that if Georgian Dream loses power, if Georgian Dream loses the election, Russia will somehow…. invade. And they're very actively trying to fear-monger the Georgian population.
“So right now, the government is preparing. The Ministry of Justice has already created a special department which is specifically [aiming to] persecute civil society organizations. The Minister of Justice, the other representatives of the Georgian Dream government, have already threatened [us] with bigger fines in the future as well. But again, the civil society is ready to fight it.”
Melashvili added that the Georgian Dream will try to “frighten” Georgian society with claims that the country will suffer a grim fate if it moves Westwards.
“Georgian Dream has been trying to frighten the Georgian population for a very long time,” he claimed. “The basic idea of their campaign right now is the belief that if Georgian Dream loses power, if Georgian Dream loses the election, Russia will somehow…. invade. And they're very actively trying to fear-monger the Georgian population.
Source: TVN
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