Geneva, UN human rights experts have strongly condemned the recent adoption of the Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence by Georgia’s Parliament, warning that the legislation represents a serious threat to civil society, journalists, and human rights defenders. The law, which labels organizations receiving significant foreign funding as “foreign agents,” could undermine Georgia’s commitment to human rights.
According to Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, despite assurances to the contrary from government officials during a November 2023 visit by the Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders, the Georgian Parliament expedited the law’s adoption without transparent consultations or adequate access for media and civil society representatives. The law was passed on May 14, 2024, after being rapidly pushed through three readings, ignoring widespread opposition and earlier protests that had successfully halted a similar draft in March 2023.
The law requires any media, nongovernmental organization, or nonprofit that receives more than 20% of its funding from abroad to register as an entity “pursuing the interests of a foreign power.” This has sparked fierce criticism from Georgia’s opposition, who view it as an attempt to crack down on independent voices and dissent. The UN experts expressed deep concern about the hurried legislative process and the potential repercussions for freedom of association, which they believe could place Georgia in violation of its international human rights obligations.
Additionally, the response to public protests against the law has been marked by violence, with security forces using water cannons, tear gas, and stun grenades to disperse demonstrators, leading to assaults on human rights defenders and intimidating actions against protestors.