At first glance, this bill may sound innocuous. Civil society organizations that receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad must register as organizations under foreign influence. But the new law passed by Georgia’s parliament yesterday sparked anger and demonstrations in the capital, Tbilisi.
Critics say the bill is “Kremlin-inspired” after President Putin passed a similar law in 2012, which they say will have a chilling effect on civil society. It is claimed that Protesters believe this is a way to turn Georgia towards Russia. The Guardian’s chief reporter is daniel boffeycontinues to tell young protesters, many of them elementary school students, why they are so furious.
he says michael safi, that Georgia has been walking a tightrope for years between keeping the European and Russian powers satisfied. Membership status is granted by the EU. But one of the country’s most powerful figures, oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, is defending the new law, which could threaten close ties with Europe. And the shadow of the Ukraine war is held up as an example of what happens when Russia gets angry. But protesters say they will not back down.
Photo: Zurab Tsertsvadze/AP
