Georgian lawmakers have approved new media restrictions and a fresh “foreign agents” bill, a move activists say “could spell the end of Georgia’s independent civil society.”
The measures, condemned by opponents as repressive, come on the back of months of protests by pro-democracy groups following the Georgian Dream party’s disputed re-election last year and its subsequent decision to pause the process of joining the European Union.
The new legislation tightens previous rules requiring media and civil society organizations that receive funding from abroad to register themselves as “foreign agents.” Failure to do so will become a criminal offense, with jail sentences of up to five years possible, reports said.
Amendments to Georgia’s broadcasting law also target foreign influence, banning funding from outside of the country and expanding the powers of the government-controlled press regulator to sanction media organizations on traditional and digital platforms.
Other changes passed on Tuesday in the country’s parliament—which is boycotted by opposition parties—include the introduction of treason as a crime.
Georgia’s government claimed the new media regulations would improve accuracy and fairness in reporting. It says its new law on “foreign agents”—which replaces previous legislation that sparked massive protests in 2024—is simply a copy of America’s decades-old Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).
The new legislation tightens previous rules requiring media and civil society organizations that receive funding from abroad to register themselves as “foreign agents.” Failure to do so will become a criminal offense, with jail sentences of up to five years possible, reports said.
Amendments to Georgia’s broadcasting law also target foreign influence, banning funding from outside of the country and expanding the powers of the government-controlled press regulator to sanction media organizations on traditional and digital platforms.
Other changes passed on Tuesday in the country’s parliament—which is boycotted by opposition parties—include the introduction of treason as a crime.
‘Human rights crisis’
Georgia’s government claimed the new media regulations would improve accuracy and fairness in reporting. It says its new law on “foreign agents”—which replaces previous legislation that sparked massive protests in 2024—is simply a copy of America’s decades-old Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).
However, press freedom and rights organizations, as well as critical media outlets, pointed out that the U.S. version of the law has limited use, is tempered by judicial guidance, and defines the notion of foreign influence differently.
Ahead of the vote this week, Hugh Williamson from Human Rights Watch said the Georgian Dream government “is plunging Georgia ever deeper into a human rights crisis.”
“This bill, if adopted and enforced, will give independent activists and groups the false choice of accepting the unfounded and stigmatizing label of foreign agent, facing prison or exile, or abandoning their work altogether,” he said.
“It could spell the end of Georgia’s independent civil society.”
Protests of unprecedented scale have rocked Georgia over the last few months, eliciting a crackdown by the authorities, who have jailed political opponents and journalists amid widespread allegations of torture and unjustified use of force.
The government has denied overreacting, saying it used “appropriate measures” against protesters, alleging that the demonstrations had been plotted by “rich NGOs” and foreign actors.
A report released last week by the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) said “an unprecedented level of police violence” was inflicted on activists in November and December 2024 as part of “a coordinated state policy involving all branches of government.”
It added that the new “foreign agents” law would put further limitations on organizations such as NGOs that victims of police violence rely on.
“There are no state rehabilitation services available to victims of police abuse, leaving them reliant on civil society or private medical providers,” the report said.
“Civil society organizations offering legal and medical assistance are operating in an increasingly hostile environment, facing significant threats to their physical security.”
It added: “This legislation will have devastating consequences for the rule of law in Georgia, further leaving victims of torture and other gross human rights violations unprotected.”
Last week, Georgian Dream also announced plans to ask the country’s top court to declare some opposition parties unconstitutional.
Ahead of the vote this week, Hugh Williamson from Human Rights Watch said the Georgian Dream government “is plunging Georgia ever deeper into a human rights crisis.”
“This bill, if adopted and enforced, will give independent activists and groups the false choice of accepting the unfounded and stigmatizing label of foreign agent, facing prison or exile, or abandoning their work altogether,” he said.
“It could spell the end of Georgia’s independent civil society.”
Fears for victims of police violence
Protests of unprecedented scale have rocked Georgia over the last few months, eliciting a crackdown by the authorities, who have jailed political opponents and journalists amid widespread allegations of torture and unjustified use of force.
The government has denied overreacting, saying it used “appropriate measures” against protesters, alleging that the demonstrations had been plotted by “rich NGOs” and foreign actors.
A report released last week by the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) said “an unprecedented level of police violence” was inflicted on activists in November and December 2024 as part of “a coordinated state policy involving all branches of government.”
It added that the new “foreign agents” law would put further limitations on organizations such as NGOs that victims of police violence rely on.
“There are no state rehabilitation services available to victims of police abuse, leaving them reliant on civil society or private medical providers,” the report said.
“Civil society organizations offering legal and medical assistance are operating in an increasingly hostile environment, facing significant threats to their physical security.”
It added: “This legislation will have devastating consequences for the rule of law in Georgia, further leaving victims of torture and other gross human rights violations unprotected.”
Last week, Georgian Dream also announced plans to ask the country’s top court to declare some opposition parties unconstitutional.
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