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Tbilisi Lives the Night of Protest, Violence
Already tense discussions about the imminent passing of the draft law “On Transparency of Foreign Funding,” also known as the “foreign agent law,” have descended into scenes of violence as the ruling majority decided to ram the controversial changes through the parliament on March 7. The tensions were high from March 6, when the joint …
Tags: Attack on CSOs, Draft Law on Foreign Agents, Tbilisi protests
08/03/2023 - 17:50
GD Kobakhidze Speaks “Spies Revolution,” Thanks Police
On March 8, the Chair of Georgian Dream, Irakli Kobakhidze, addressed yesterday’s events. He blamed the “radical opposition” and critical media for convincing a large part of the society “that the draft foreign agents’ law was Russian,” which stirred “sincere emotions.” He then claimed that the radical opposition tried to use these emotions for its …
Tags: Attack on CSOs, Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, Law on Foreign Agents
State Department: We Hold Tools at Our Purview to Hold Anyone Accountable
The U.S. State Department Spokesperson Ned Price held his regular briefing on March 7, where he fielded several questions concerning the law “On Transparency of Foreign Funding” that was passed in its first reading today by the Georgian parliament, as well as about the suppression of protest triggered by that decision. Below is our unofficial …
Tags: Attack on CSOs, Law on Foreign Agents, Ned Price, U.S. State Department
EUHR Borrell: Law Goes Against Georgia’s Stated Objective of Joining the EU
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell issued a statement in relation with the adoption of the law On Transparency of Foreign Funding in the first reading by the Georgian Parliament today: “On Tuesday, the Georgian Parliament adopted the new law on “transparency of foreign influence” in a first reading. This …
Irakli Kobakhidze Holds Briefing Amid Ongoing Protest in Tbilisi
At a press briefing held at the Georgian Dream party’s office, Chairman Irakli Kobakhidze made a statement in response to the US Embassy’s recent statement regarding the ongoing protests in Tbilisi. Kobakhidze stated, “Today is a dark day only for the radical opposition and the forces related to it”. 07/03/2023- US Embassy Raises Alarm over …
Tags: Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, Law on Foreign Agents, Tbilisi protests
President Zurabishvili: “I Stand by Your Side Today Because Today You Represent Free Georgia”
The Georgian President, who is currently on an official visit to the United States, addressed those protesting at the Parliament saying: “I stand by your side because today you represent free Georgia. Georgia that sees its future in Europe and will not give anyone the right to take away its future. No one has the …
Tags: Attack on CSOs, President
Law on “Transparency of Foreign Funding” Passes 76-13 in the First Reading
Despite the ongoing protests and opposition of a large part of society, as well as the calls of international partners, the Georgian Parliament, at its plenary session on March 7, passed a Russian-style bill “On Transparency of Foreign Influence” in the first reading by 76 votes in favor and 13 against. Below is the list …
Tags: Attack on CSOs, Georgia, Law on Foreign Agents, საქართველო, ქართული ოცნება
07/03/2023 - 20:19
Human Rights Groups Warn Georgia Against Russian-Style Bills Restricting Freedom of Expression and Association
Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have called on Georgia’s parliament to reject the two Russian-style bills that are currently under debate. According to them, the bills are incompatible with international human rights law and standards that protect freedom of expression and association. They have urged Georgian Parliament to withdraw the bills and ensure that they …
Tags: Amnesty International, Georgia, Human Rights Watch, Law on Foreign Agents
Newly Appointed Public Defender of Georgia Speaks About the Protests
In a statement released today, Levan Ioseliani, the newly appointed Public Defender of Georgia, said the protesters’ freedom of assembly, protected by the Constitution, should be guaranteed. “It is mandatory to warn the participants of the protest in advance and give them a reasonable time to fulfill the legal requirements. The type and intensity of …
Tags: Georgia, Law on Foreign Agents, Levan Ioseliani, Tbilisi protests
US Embassy Raises Alarm over ‘Kremlin-Inspired’ Bills
The US Embassy in Georgia has released a statement condemning the recent actions of the Georgian Parliament, stating that it is a “dark day” for the country’s democracy. The Embassy further asserts that the the advancement by the Parliament of these “Kremlin-inspired” laws is at odds with the Georgian people’s desire for European integration and …
Tags: Attack on CSOs, Georgia, Law on Foreign Agents, US Embassy
PM: Georgia’s Future No Longer Belongs to Foreign Agents
“The future of our country does not belong and will no longer belong to foreign agents or servants of foreign countries. The future of our country and our people belongs to patriots,” Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, who is visiting Germany to attend the ITB Berlin 2023 tourism fair, told reporters on March 7 while …
Tags: Attack on CSOs, Georgia, Georgian Dream
PM Speaks of Occupation, Ukraine War, European Integration in Berlin
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili spoke about his country’s tourism potential, Russia’s occupation of Georgian territories, the war in Ukraine and European integration at the ITB Berlin 2023 tourism trade fair on March 6. This year, Georgia was the host country at the fair. Occupation and War in Ukraine PM Garibashvili spoke at length about …
Tags: garibashvili, Georgia, Prime Minister
Georgia Parliament Appoints Levan Ioseliani as Public Defender
Levan Ioseliani has been appointed as Georgia’s next Public Defender, with 96 MPs present at the session voting in favour of his candidacy. A minimum of 90 votes were required to secure the position. As part of the decision, the Chairman of the Parliament announced that Ioseliani’s powers as an MP will be terminated as …
Tags: Levan Ioseliani, Parliament of Georgia, Public Defender, Public Defender Election 2022
Debates on Draft Laws on Foreign Agents Began at the Parliament’s Plenary Session
Despite the opposition of a large part of the public and the calls from international partners to withdraw the majority-backed Russian-style bills on “foreign agents”, the parliamentary majority began their first reading at the plenary session on March 7. Yesterday, on March 6, Mamuka Mdinaradze, the Chair of the parliamentary faction “Georgian Dream”, announced that …
Tags: საქართველო, ქართული ოცნება
RSF Urges Georgia’s Parliament to Reject “Foreign Agents” Law
The Reporters Without Borders (RSF) call on Georgian MPs to reject the proposed Law on Foreign Agents expressing concern with growing authoritarianism in Georgia. The Head of the RSF Eastern Europe and Central Asia desk, Jeanne Cavelier, warns that a proposed draft laws on “foreign agents” poses a threat to freedom of press in Georgia. …
Tags: Attack on CSOs, Draft Law on Foreign Agents, Reporters Without Borders
President Zurabishvili Interviewed by National Public Radio/NPR
As part of her official visit to the US the Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili gave an interview to NPR. She spoke of Georgia’s EU aspirations, the war in Ukraine and its impact on Georgia and the world, about the emerging new world order and other issues. On Russia’s war in Ukraine: The President stressed that …
US Helsinki Commission Condemns Proposed “Foreign Agents” Law
The United States Helsinki Commission has released a joint statement expressing concerns over a Russia-inspired “foreign agents” law endorsed by the ruling majority, stating that it would have a chilling effect on the country’s civil society and would be a rebuke to its EU and NATO aspirations. The statement, issued by Helsinki Commission Chairman Representative …
Tags: Georgia, Georgian Dream, Law on Foreign Agents, US Helsinki Commission
US Assistant Secretary of State Voices Concern Over Georgia’s Draft Law on Agents
US Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Todd Robinson has voiced concern over a Russian-inspired law on “foreign agents” endorsed by the ruling majority, stating that the legislation is not in line with the country’s interests to work toward Euro-Atlantic integration. While speaking to journalists at the opening of the …
Tags: Georgia, Georgian Dream, Law on Foreign Agents, United States
President Slams the Foreign Agents Draft Law from the UN Tribune, Holds Meetings
The President of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili, is on an official visit to the United States. On March 7 she attended the 67th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women. In her speech, the President addressed the role of civil society in Georgia, including its role as a transformative force in allowing women’s …
The Daily Beat: 6 March
The Parliament’s legal affairs committee endorsed the Russian-inspired “foreign agent” laws in a session accompanied by scuffles, forced eviction of some opposition MPs, and heavy security presence in and around the building. Civil society activists, students, and ordinary citizens protested at the back entrance of the Parliament. Journalists were barred from attending the committee meeting, and …
Tags: Association of Trainers, Dick Durbin, Draft Law on Foreign Agents, Irakli Garibashvili, Jeanne Shaheen, Mamuka Mdinaradze, Peter Fischer, Tbilisi Dynamo, US Helsinki Commission
US Senators Express Concern Over Russia-Inspired Draft Law on “Foreign Agents”
US Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Dick Durbin have expressed concern over a Russia-inspired law on “foreign agents” endorsed by the ruling majority, warning that it could lead to the suppression of civil society and free media in the country. Jeanne Shaheen criticized the bill, saying that it does not resemble the American Foreign Agents Registration …
Tags: Draft Law on Foreign Agents, Georgia, Russia, U.S. Senate
06/03/2023 - 17:51
Public Outcry over the Proposed “Foreign Agents” Law
Georgian professionals, opinion-makers, civil society organizations, and professional associations reacted to the proposed law on “foreign agents” and discussed the unfavorable consequences that will result from its adoption. Opinion leaders Academician Rismag Gordeziani; Film director Lana Gogoberidze; Linguist and academician Mzeqala Shanidze; Georgian writer and poet Besik Kharanauli; Novelist, playwright, and theater director Nino Kharatishvili; …
Opinion | Polarization is a Symptom, Not Disease
Nata Koridze is the managing editor of Civil.ge Polarization has become a scarecrow of modern Georgian political and social reality. But what local and international pundits often overlook is that polarization is just a symptom of the illness, not the disease itself. The conventional wisdom is that polarization is bad for society and has a …
Tags: Attack on CSOs, Georgian Dream, Political Polarization, Tbilisi protests
Quick Take | Sovereignist Revival
The repressive, Russia-inspired law restricting the right to association and vilifying pro-democracy activists and media is making its way through the parliament. This is not an isolated initiative. As the 2024 elections near, the Georgian Dream is preparing a ramp to stand on the sovereignist ideological platform, fueled by anti-Western sentiment and underpinned by economic …
Tags: Attack on CSOs, Elections, Far-right, Georgian Dream
US and German Ambassadors React to the Ongoing Parliamentary Discussions on Draft Foreign Agents’ Law
Speaking to journalists today US Ambassador Kelly Degnan addressed the discussions on the Foreign Agents’ law currently taking place in the Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee. She said: “We have not given up on the efforts to persuade and urge the government not to proceed with this legislation.” She recalled that the US, UN, EU, COE …
Tags: Attack on CSOs, Kelly Degnan, Law on Foreign Agents, US Embassy
UPDATED: Legal Committee Endorses “Foreign Agent” Laws
On March 6, the Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs began and, after nearly eight hours of raucous debate, voted in favor of the ruling majority’s Russian-style bills on “foreign agents” and supported sending them to the Venice Commission. The discussion took place amid public protests and confrontation among MPs. Against the backdrop of public protest, …
Tags: საქართველო
Dispatch: Feb. 27-Mar. 5: Faith No More
“I am for order and discipline! I am from the majority. All of this [system] – holds together because of those like myself!” says an agitated citizen in the landmark 1979 movie “Garage” – by far the most nuanced satire of the Brezhnev-era society. It takes a lot of flexibility to live in a rigid …
Tags: Dispatch
05/03/2023 - 19:14
The Daily Beat: 3 March
Georgia marks Mother’s Day on March 3. It is an official holiday, so the news trickled in slower than usual. Following the heated parliamentary debates over the draft law on foreign agents, the ruling Georgian Dream party chair, Irakli Kobakhidze, defended the draft and attacked CSOs in a televised interview with Imedi TV, the ruling …
Tags: Council of Religions, Draft Law on Foreign Agents, Irakli Kobakhidze, Shalva Papuashvili, Tinkoff Bank
04/03/2023 - 11:56
Shalva Papuashvili Responds to Commissioner Mijatović’s Letter
On March 3, the speaker of the Georgian Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, published a response to the open letter of the Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner Dunja Mijatović dated February 22. In that message, Commissioner Mijatović expressed concern over the draft law “On transparency of foreign influence.” Speaker Papuashvili reiterates Georgia’s commitment to “the fundamental …
Tags: Attack on CSOs, Council of Europe, Dunja Mijatović, Parliament of Georgia, Shalva Papuashvili
03/03/2023 - 14:14
Councils on Religions and Minorities Say the Draft Law on “Agents” “Unacceptable”
On March 2, the councils of Religious and of Ethnic Minorities, which function under the Public Defender’s Office, expressed their “extreme concern” over the majority-backed Russian-style “foreign agent” bills, saying these drafts “discredit the entire civil society” and “create a hostile environment for it.” The statement reads that the bills “run contrary to the steadfast …
GD Chair Defends Foreign Agent Law, Attacks CSOs, Advances Demands
GD Chairman Irakli Kobakhidze gave a wide-ranging interview to Imedi TV, the ruling party mouthpiece, to explain and defend his party’s position supporting the Russia-inspired law on “foreign agents.” This came after the majority endorsed the two versions of the laws on foreign agents during the joint meeting of the committees on foreign affairs and …
State Department, USAID Officials React to Draft Law “On Transparency of Foreign Influence”
Ned Price, the spokesperson for the US State Department, held a press briefing on March 2, where he expressed deep concern about the Russia-inspired law on “foreign agents” endorsed by the ruling majority. Price stated that the law is not consistent with the aspirations of the Georgian people and could potentially jeopardize the country’s Euro-Atlantic …
Tags: Georgia, Law on Foreign Agents, Ned Price, Samantha Power, US State Department, USAID
The Daily Beat: 2 March
Parliament endorsed both versions of Russia-inspired draft laws on foreign agents at the heated joint session of the committees on foreign affairs and defense/security. Scuffles delayed the session as some MPs from the opposition were manhandled out of the hall, and representatives of some CSOs and media were barred from entering. The hours-long session occurred …
Tags: Constitution, For Georgia, Inflation rate, Kelly Degnan, Law on Foreign Agents, Mikheil Saakashvili, National Statistics Office, Ned Price, Parliament of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili, Shalva Khachapuridze, Tbilisi Court of Appeals
111th IPRM Meeting Takes Place in Ergneti
On March 2 the 111th Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) meeting was held in Ergneti. Statement by EUMM During the meeting, the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) called for the lifting of restrictions of movement ahead of the Easter holiday season. At the start …
Tags: European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM), Georgia, IPRM Ergneti, OSCE, State Security Service, Tskhinvali
02/03/2023 - 23:34
36 Arrests Confirmed at the Rally Against the Foreign Agents’ Bill
On March 2, employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs arrested 36 protesters on administrative charges as they took part in a protest against the Russian-style draft law on “foreign agents.” Zura Vardiashvili, the Director General of the online magazine “Publika” and Beka Jikurashvili, a journalist of “Tabula” magazine, were detained and later released. According …
Tags: Attack on CSOs, Georgia, Law on Foreign Agents, MIA, საქართველო, შსს
President: The activities of those who oppose the constitutional Euro-Atlantic path should be banned
“The activities of all those political parties that contradict the principles of the Constitution and the [Euro-Atlantic] path chosen by our country and its people should be declared unconstitutional and banned,” Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili said on 2 March in response to majority MP Mikheil Kavelashvili, who said today during the joint committees’ discussion of …
Tags: Attack on CSOs, Georgia, Law on Foreign Agents, Salome Zurabishvili
Court Decision to Keep Saakashvili in Custody Upheld on Appeal
On March 2, the Tbilisi Court of Appeals upheld the decision of the lower court to deny the motion for the release or deferral of ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili’s prison term based on his health condition. Saakashvili’s attorney Shalva Khachapuridze told Civil.ge that the Tbilisi Court of Appeals considered the case without the attendance of Saakashvili’s …
Parliament Launches Discussions on “Foreign Agents” Amid Scuffles, Endorses the Draft Laws
A joint session of the Parliamentary Committees on Defense and Security and Foreign Relations to discuss two Russian-inspired draft laws on “foreign agents” endorsed by the ruling majority began two hours late on March 2 and was marred by scuffles. MPs from the ruling party and the opposition engaged in physical and verbal confrontation before …
Tags: საქართველო, საქართველო
“For Georgia” MPs Submit Draft on Protection from “Russian Influence”
On March 1, the MPs from former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia’s “For Georgia” party tabled a draft law titled “On protection from the influence of the occupying power – the Russian Federation,” in an apparent move to counter the two Russian-inspired draft laws on “foreign agents” submitted by the ruling majority. The MPs of the …
Tags: ქართული ოცნება
Georgia’s Annual Inflation at 8.1% in February
Georgia’s annual inflation rate amounted to 8.1% in February, the National Statistics Office (Geostat) reported on March 2. On a monthly basis, meanwhile, consumer prices decreased by 0.3%. The annual inflation rate was primarily driven by price changes in food and non-alcoholic beverages (14% increase); housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels (12.4% increase); and …
U.S., EU and UK Ambassadors React to Draft Law “On Transparency of Foreign Influence”
On March 1, the U.S., EU, and UK Ambassadors to Georgia once again raised their serious concerns regarding Russia-inspired law on “foreign agents” endorsed by the ruling majority. U.S. Ambassador “It’s clear that Georgia does not need this law. It is also clear that anyone voting for any of its versions will be directly responsible …
Tags: European Union (EU), Georgia, Kelly Degnan, Law on Foreign Agents, Mark Clayton, Nikoloz Samkharadze, Pawel herczynski, Shalva Papuashvili, UK Embassy, US Embassy
Business Associations Speak Out Against the “Foreign Agents” Law
Georgian and international businesses and investors represented by the American Chamber of Commerce, the European Business Association, the EU Georgia Business Council, and the German Business Association addressed a letter to Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili regarding Russia-inspired law on “foreign agents” endorsed by the ruling majority, saying that if adopted, the law “will create …
Tags: Attack on CSOs, European Union (EU), Georgia, Georgian Dream, Law on Foreign Agents, Shalva Papuashvili
The Daily Beat: 1 March
EU Ambassador Pawel Herczynski and all the other ambassadors from EU countries represented in Tbilisi held a demarche meeting with speaker Shalva Papuashvili over foreign agents’ law. The EU Ambassador said it was not an easy conversation and called it a “frank and open exchange of views” – a diplomatic shorthand for a profound disagreement. …
Tags: Business Associations, Demarche Meeting, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Kelly Degnan, Mark Clayton, Nikoloz Samkharadze, Pawel herczynski, Shalva Papuashvili, Tbilisi Court of Appeals, Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia
The Court: Status-Neutral ID Card Holders Have Social Rights Equal to Citizens
The Tbilisi Court of Appeals ruled on February 22 that holders of the status-neutral identity cards legally living in the occupied territories of Georgia have rights equal to citizens of Georgia when it comes to receiving state benefits. In 2021, a person with disabilities living in Ochamchire (Abkhazia) who holds a status-neutral identity card of …
Tags: Abkhazia, Russian Occupation, Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia
01/03/2023 - 15:10
NBG Fines Cartu Bank for Violating Anti-Money Laundering Rules
The National Bank of Georgia (NBG) has imposed a monetary fine of GEL 64,000 on JSC Cartu Bank, founded by Bidzina Ivanishvili, a reclusive patron of the ruling Georgian Dream party. The central bank said in its statement that seven violations were related to the Law on Facilitating the Suppression of Money Laundering and Terrorism …
Tags: საქართველო
Georgian Citizen Detained near Tskhinvali Occupation Line Released
The State Security Service of Georgia (SSG) announced on February 28 that Georgian citizen Lasha Khetereli, who was detained near the Tskhinvali occupation line, has been released. 17/06/2021 – Georgian Citizen Released from Tskhinvali Prison According to the SSG, Tbilisi shared information on the matter with the EU Monitoring Mission and the Co-Chairs of the …
Tags: Georgia, occupation, Russian Occupation, State Security Service, Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia, საქართველო, სუსი
The Daily Beat: 28 February
The U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price repeated concerns over Russia-inspired draft law on foreign agents. He said the draft already endorsed by the ruling party leadership would harm the freedom of speech and democracy in Georgia and undermine its Euro-Atlantic future. According to the spokesman, the Georgian government has been well informed of the …
Tags: Dunja Mijatović, Georgian Dream, Ned Price, Open Government Partnership, Party financing, TI Georgia, US Country Reports on Terrorism, Venice Commission
Interview | U.S. Ambassador Kelly C. Degnan
Outgoing U.S. Ambassador Kelly C. Degnan was interviewed by Publika magazine. In agreement with our colleagues, Civil.ge is publishing the English-language transcript. Publika: What is your take on the state of development of the strategic partnership between the United States and Georgia during your tenure? Ambassador Degnan: I’ve been here now for three years, and …
Tags: Attack on CSOs, Kelly Degnan, US Embassy
28/02/2023 - 22:20
Former Georgian Dream Officials Slam Draft Law on “Foreign Agents”
Giorgi Kvirikashvili and Mikheil Janelidze, the former Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, respectively, in the Georgian Dream government, criticized the Russian-inspired law on “foreign agents” endorsed by the ruling majority, saying that this initiative “has significantly damaged Georgia’s democratic image.” “When all friends of Georgia are dissatisfied with the goals and expediency of this bill, …
Tags: Attack on CSOs, Georgian Dream, Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Mikheil Janelidze
Explainer | Georgia’s New Defense Code
In December 2022, the Government of Georgia announced the new defense code, pledging it would improve the social welfare of military personnel. The government says it will also change the existing conscription system, eliminating the legal loophole that the Biblical Freedom church has used for years to help conscripts evade compulsory military service. Author: Luka …
Tags: Defense, Georgian Orthodox Church
Page 40 of 763
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