A woman hit by tear gas receives medical aid during a rally against the foreign agents law in Tbilisi, Georgia (Image: Reuters)
The law bans media and NGOs with foreign ties. Opponents of the law clashed with Georgia riot police.
Georgian police used tear gas and water cannons against protesters on Tuesday as thousands of protesters took to the streets in the capital Tbilisi to protest a controversial “foreign agent” bill.
According to television footage, at one point a protester protesting the law, which would impose registration requirements on media and NGOs with foreign ties, threw a Molotov cocktail at riot police.
The demonstrations came as Georgian lawmakers earlier on Tuesday gave their initial support to the draft law, reminiscent of Russia’s legislation that cracked down on dissent.
In recent years the Georgian authorities have faced growing international criticism over alleged backsliding on democracy, which is seriously damaging Tbilisi’s ties with Brussels.
In 2012, Russia adopted a law that allows authorities to take action against NGOs, media outlets and others considered “foreign agents”.
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili expressed support for the protesters and vowed to veto the law.
“I stand with you because today you represent independent Georgia that sees its future in Europe and will not let anyone steal that future,” she said in a video from the United States, where she is on an official visit. is on
“No one has the right to take away your future,” she said in the address, with the Statue of Liberty in the background.
The US embassy in Georgia called the law “Kremlin-inspired” and said it was inconsistent with the country’s desire to join the European Union.
“Today is a dark day for Georgia’s democracy,” the embassy said in a statement, adding that the law raised questions about “the ruling party’s commitment to Euro-Atlantic integration”.
In Russia, the foreign agent label, which is reminiscent of the Soviet-era term “enemy of the people”, is used extensively by authorities charged with conducting foreign-funded political activities against political opponents, journalists and human rights activists. Has gone.
According to a recently amended Russian law, anyone “under foreign influence” or receiving support from abroad – not just foreign money – can be declared a “foreign agent”.
Democratic Backsliding
Georgia applied for EU membership along with Ukraine and Moldova on 24 February, days after Russia invaded Ukraine.
In June last year, EU leaders granted Kiev and Chisinau formal candidate status, but said Tbilisi must first implement a number of reforms.
Plans to join NATO and the European Union are enshrined in Georgia’s constitution and, according to opinion polls, are supported by at least 80 percent of the population.
In 2008, Russia and Georgia fought a five-day war but in recent years rights activists have accused Georgian authorities of leaning towards the Kremlin.
Thousands of Russian men have fled to Georgia after President Vladimir Putin announced military mobilization last September.
Initially welcoming, Georgia has deported several Russian activists with opposition views over the past year.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has defended his “balanced” Russia policy aimed at ensuring “peace and stability”.
Authorities have also been criticized for the deteriorating health of jailed ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili.
Late last month, EU member states issued a formal diplomatic alert to Georgia’s leaders over Saakashvili’s health.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)