Tens of thousands of protesters have been taking to the streets of Georgia to oppose a controversial bill that has been compared to a similar law in Russia. The UN Human Rights Commissioner has called on the Georgian government to withdraw the bill, which has sparked massive demonstrations despite police attempts to suppress them. In Tbilisi, demonstrators shouted “No to Russia” as they opposed the legislation that silences dissenters.
The foreign minister, Elina Valtonen, expressed concern about the clashes at the protests and emphasized that Georgians have the right to protest against the bill on foreign influence. Additionally, Volker Turk, the UN Human Rights Commissioner, urged the Georgian government to withdraw the controversial bill and expressed concern about the violence used by police against protesters.
Critics argue that the law is essentially a replica of Russia’s law on foreign agents. The law under discussion would require media and non-governmental organizations that receive more than a fifth of their funding from outside Georgia to register as promoters of foreign interests. However, this bill threatens freedom of speech and expression in Georgia.
Valtonen stressed that Georgia has received candidate status for EU membership and urged them to continue on this path. President Ursula von der Leyen noted that Georgia is at a crossroads and should continue on the path towards Europe. The ongoing protests and international pressure underscore the significance of this situation regarding the controversial bill.
The protests have continued despite police attempts to suppress them with water cannons and tear gas. The law has passed its second reading in Parliament, but it still faces opposition from many Georgians who believe it will stifle free speech and expression in their country.
In conclusion, there are concerns about human rights violations during these protests in Georgia. It is crucial for Georgian authorities to address these issues promptly and take necessary actions against those involved in such violations.
Georgia must continue its journey towards democracy and respect for human rights if it wants to achieve full EU membership status someday.
