Armenian CSOs Express Solidarity to Georgian Colleagues
On April 5, Armenian civil society organizations (CSOs) and individuals issued a statement expressing their solidarity with Georgian civil society and their commitment to assist in any way deemed helpful following the ruling party’s decision to reintroduce the Russian-style Foreign Agents Bill.
“We support you in your courage to stand against consistent and constant efforts by Georgia’s government to limit civic freedoms and fundamental human rights, including in the form of limiting the political participation of women, also by re-introducing the draft law on Transparency of Foreign Influence,” – reads the CSOs statement.
The Armenian civic activists emphasize that the concept of foreign influence is historically linked to “advancing conspiracy theories used for violations of human rights and prosecution of the innocent, from which both our nations suffered significantly.” They emphasize that when democracy is under attack, it is important to unite pro-democracy forces and “build firewalls against attempts of weakening it in our region and beyond.”
The civil society organizations note that they are following developments in Georgia “with sadness, but also with admiration” for the resilience demonstrated by Georgian civil society and emphasize that “freedom is deeply and inherently rooted in our societies, and even in the darkest hours of history the fight for it was never compromised.”
Also Read:
- 06/04/2024 – US Helsinki Commission: “Foreign Agent” Legislation – Self-Sabotage of Georgia’s EU Candidacy
- 05/04/2024 – Twelve European Foreign Affairs Committee Chairs: Foreign Agents Bill a “Hostile Step”
- 05/04/2024 – Germany Warns “Foreign Influence” Draft Puts EU Membership at Risk
- 05/04/2024 – MEPs Call on European Commission to Monitor GD Decisions’ Compatibility with EU Candidate Status
- 05/04/2024 – US State Department Spokesperson: Deeply Concerned that Bill will Derail Georgia from European Path
- 05/04/2024 – PACE Co-rapporteurs Express “Deep Concern” Over Re-tabled Foreign Agents Law
- 04/04/2024 – EU: “Seriously Concerned” over Reintroduction of Foreign Agents Law
- 04/04/2024 – Risch, Shaheen Statement on Reintroduction of Foreign Agents’ Law
This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)
