Critics argue the legislation is an attempt by the government to sabotage Georgia's path to further integration with the European Union and the West.
Georgia's Parliament passed a contentious 'foreign agents' bill modeled after Russia's legislation.
Protests continue as it remains unclear whether Georgia will maintain its path towards Western integration.
The bill has sparked mass protests in Tbilisi and raised concerns about Georgia's commitment to democratic values and its path towards Western integration.
The US has threatened travel restrictions and financial sanctions against individuals involved in drafting and supporting the bill.
In recent days, Georgia has found itself at the center of international attention as its Parliament passed a highly contentious Russian-style “foreign agents” bill that has sparked mass protests. Critics argue that the legislation is an attempt by the government to sabotage Georgia’s path to further integration with the European Union and the West. The move has drawn concern from both the United States and NATO, who have expressed their displeasure at Georgia’s decision to adopt such a bill. The U.S. has gone as far as threatening travel restrictions and financial sanctions against individuals involved in drafting and supporting the bill. Meanwhile, protesters continue to take to the streets of Tbilisi, voicing their opposition to the law and expressing their desire for Georgia to remain on its path towards Western integration.
The controversy surrounding the foreign agents bill stems from its potential impact on media freedom and Georgia’s aspirations to join the European Union. The legislation requires media, NGOs, and other nonprofits to register as “pursuing the interests of a foreign power” if they receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad. This has led to widespread criticism and comparisons to Moscow’s use of similar legislation to crack down on independent news media, nonprofits, and activists critical of the Kremlin. The bill is seen as a threat not only to Georgia’s relationship with the EU but also its commitment to democratic values and principles.
As protests continue to unfold in Tbilisi, it remains to be seen whether Georgia will be able to navigate this difficult situation and maintain its path towards Western integration. The government’s decision to adopt the foreign agents bill has raised serious concerns about its commitment to democratic values and the rule of law, and it remains to be seen whether this will have any impact on Georgia’s future relations with its Western partners.
Georgia's Parliament passed a controversial Russian-style ‘foreign agents’ bill that has sparked mass protests
Critics say the bill is an attempt to sabotage Georgia’s path to further integration with the European Union and West
Rati Khazalia, a business owner and founder of a print shop in Tbilisi, believes his country is being betrayed by its government and sold to Russia for nothing
The U.S. has expressed concern over democratic backsliding in Georgia and threatened travel restrictions and financial sanctions against people involved in drafting and supporting the bill
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The article is highly deceptive in its portrayal of the events surrounding Georgia's passing of the foreign agents bill. It presents the bill as a Russian-style law that has sparked massive protests and opposition from Georgian citizens, while omitting key details about the context and implications of this legislation. The author also implies that Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili is a pro-Russian figure by mentioning her Moscow-sympathetic background, without providing any evidence to support this claim.
The article presents the foreign agents bill as a Russian-style law that has sparked massive protests and opposition from Georgian citizens, without disclosing that this bill was actually proposed by Georgia's pro-Western ruling party, the Georgian Dream.
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The article uses language that depicts the Georgian Dream party and its pro-Russian billionaire founder Bidzina Ivanishvili as attempting to sabotage Georgia's path to further integration with the European Union and West. It also refers to Russia's foreign agents law as a 'Kremlin-style foreign agents law' that 'basically killed off its civil society.' These statements demonstrate a clear bias against the Georgian Dream party and Russia.
Many Russians were silenced or forced to leave the country after these laws were passed in Russia.
Natalie Sabanadze, Georgia’s former ambassador to the EU, said the measure is known in Georgia as the ‘Russian law’ because it is ‘modeled almost entirely on laws passed in Russia in 2012 that basically killed off its civil society.’
The bill, promoted by the Georgian Dream party and its pro-Russian billionaire founder Bidzina Ivanishvili, is an attempt to sabotage the country’s path to further integration with the European Union and West more broadly.
The bill's supporters say it is needed to promote political transparency, to fight against ‘pseudo-liberal values’ promoted by foreign civil society groups and to preserve the country’s sovereignty.
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili held talks with European ministers to discuss ‘how to save’ the country after lawmakers adopted a Russia-style foreign influence bill.
The U.S., EU, NATO, and UN have expressed concern about Georgia’s new legislation, which opposition lawmakers denounce as the ‘Russian law’.
Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets in Tbilisi to voice opposition to the law.
Georgian lawmakers approved the legislation with 84 votes in favor.
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze defends the adoption of the foreign influence law, saying it will create ‘strong guarantees’ for peace in the country.
The EU has urged Georgia to withdraw the law and uphold its commitment to joining the EU, and may freeze Georgia’s membership bid if it is enacted.
The U.S. is deeply troubled by Georgia’s decision to pass the foreign agents legislation and may fundamentally reassess its relationship with the country.
NATO urges Georgia to change course and respect the right to peaceful protest.
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The author uses language that depicts the Russian law as a negative thing and encourages Georgia to 'change course' and 'save the country'. The author also quotes various organizations expressing concern about the law, but does not provide any counter-arguments or evidence to challenge their perspective.
The Georgian government’s decision to pass legislation on so-called ‘foreign agents’ is a step in the wrong direction and takes Georgia further away from European and Euro-Atlantic integration.
The U.S., European Union, NATO and the United Nations have all issued statements expressing concern about Georgia’s new legislation, which opposition lawmakers have denounced as the ‘Russian law.’
We urge the Georgian authorities to withdraw the law, uphold their commitment to the EU path and advance the necessary reforms detailed in the 9 steps. The EU stands ready to continue supporting Georgians working towards a European future.
Georgia's parliament held a final vote on a proposed law seen as a threat to media freedom and EU aspirations on Monday.
The bill requires media, NGOs, and other nonprofits to register as ‘pursuing the interests of a foreign power’ if they receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad.
Critics denounce the bill as ‘the Russian law’ due to Moscow’s use of similar legislation.
Protests against the bill have been ongoing for weeks, with demonstrators scuffling with police and chanting ‘Georgia’.
Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds in Europe Square on Saturday.
Hundreds remained near parliament on Monday morning after an overnight rally.
20 people were arrested, including three foreign citizens: two Americans and a Russian.
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili has vowed to veto the law, but Georgian Dream has enough votes to override a presidential veto.
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The article contains an appeal to authority and a dichotomous depiction. It also uses inflammatory rhetoric.
. . . the government says the bill is necessary to stem what it deems as harmful foreign influence over the country's politics and to prevent unspecified foreign actors from trying to destabilize it.
Huge crowds marched through Europe Square in the capital, Tbilisi, on Saturday, with demonstrators wrapped in Georgian and European Union flags and chanting “Georgia!”
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has described the parliament's move as “a very concerning development” and warned that “final adoption of this legislation would negatively impact Georgia's progress on its EU path.”
