NGOs Say Security Ministry’s Draft Law Threatens Civil Liberties

(Tbilisi February 19, 2003. Civil Georgia) – Non-governmental organizations express protest regarding the draft law elaborated by the Georgian State Security Ministry “On Suspension of Activities, Liquidation and Banning of the Extremist Organizations and the Organizations Under Foreign Control.”

The statement of the Georgian Young Lawyers Association (GYLA) issued on February 19 says that “the draft poses a threat to the basic Constitutional rights and liberties of the citizens, including the rights of association and the liberty of expression”.

According to the draft, the activity “under foreign control” can become a reason for suspension, liquidation or banning of any organization.

The activity “under foreign control” is defined in Article 1 of the draft, as “Activity of such organization or political entity, which requests or receives financial donations, credit or any other type of assistance directly or indirectly, from a foreign country, foreign or international organization or their representatives or a private individual

The GYLA statement says that in case of the draft law’s approval activity of all the leading NGOs and media sources in Georgia will be banned.

Georgian civil society organizations plan a meeting on February 19 to elaborate the joint position on the issue.

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