Copyright © 2024 Euromaidanpress.com

The work of Euromaidan Press is supported by the International Renaissance Foundation

When referencing our materials, please include an active hyperlink to the Euromaidan Press material and a maximum 500-character extract of the story. To reprint anything longer, written permission must be acquired from [email protected].

Privacy and Cookie Policies.

Politico: US plan to impose sanctions on Georgian officials to “defend democracy,” leaked bill says

Georgia protests foreign agent law
Protesters hold a night sit-in pn 13 May 2024 in front of the Georgian Parliament in Tbilisi ahead of the planned legal committee hearing on the “foreign agent” law. Photo: Guram Muradov, civil.ge
Politico: US plan to impose sanctions on Georgian officials to “defend democracy,” leaked bill says

The US Congress may introduce asset freezes and travel bans for Georgian officials, pushing forward Russian-style “foreign agents” law, as per Politico.

The bill, which was approved by the Georgian parliament last week, was subsequently vetoed by President Salome Zourabichvili.

Now, it requires a majority of deputies to vote it for a final time in the coming days. Under the law, NGOs and independent media that receive more than 20% of their funding from foreign donors are required to register as organizations “bearing the interests of a foreign power.”

Failure to do so would have resulted in fines. Georgian opponents of the bill dubbed it “the Russian law”, comparing it to legislation used to target critics of President Vladimir Putin’s Kremlin.

A preliminary version of the legislation, reviewed by Politico, suggests that the ruling Georgian Dream party has adopted a strategy of accommodation with Russia as part of a shift towards increasingly illiberal tendencies.

Furthermore, the legislation notes that Tbilisi “has openly attacked the US and other Western democracy promotion organizations as well as local and international civil society while embracing increased ties with Russia in particular, as well as China.”

South Carolina Republican Representative Joe Wilson will introduce the bill as soon as 20 May, sources say.

As part of an effort to protect and uphold democracy, the proposed law would demand imposing sanctions against government officials and others responsible for undermining human rights or security in Georgia.

Additionally, the penalties would apply to Georgian law enforcement and security services, who have cracked down on protests against the foreign agent legislation. In response to tens of thousands of people taking to the streets in protest, authorities have used tear gas, water cannons, and force to demonstrators.

Read also:

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this.  We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. A little bit goes a long way: for as little as the cost of one cup of coffee a month, you can help build bridges between Ukraine and the rest of the world, plus become a co-creator and vote for topics we should cover next. Become a patron or see other ways to support. Become a Patron!

To suggest a correction or clarification, write to us here

You can also highlight the text and press Ctrl + Enter

Please leave your suggestions or corrections here



    Euromaidan Press

    We are an independent media outlet that relies solely on advertising revenue to sustain itself. We do not endorse or promote any products or services for financial gain. Therefore, we kindly ask for your support by disabling your ad blocker. Your assistance helps us continue providing quality content. Thank you!