Georgia’s recent enactment of the controversial “foreign agent” law has sparked widespread protests and international condemnation. Despite opposition, the law, officially titled the “Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence,” was signed by Georgian parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili and published on the country’s Legislative Bulletin website.
The law, which proposes the creation of an open register of foreign agents, targets media and non-profit organizations receiving more than 20 percent of their funding from abroad. Non-compliance could result in severe repercussions. Initially announced in February 2023, the bill faced significant protests, leading to its rejection by the Georgian parliament in March 2023.
However, the bill resurfaced in 2024, triggering mass demonstrations in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. Despite President Salome Zurabishvili’s veto of the law due to concerns over its resemblance to Russia’s controversial “foreign agents” law and alleged unconstitutionality, the parliament passed the law, overriding the presidential veto on May 28.
This move has drawn criticism from both domestic and international quarters. Non-governmental organizations have announced their refusal to comply with the law, citing concerns about its impact on civil society and independent media. Human rights organizations, civil society groups, and election observers have urged European leaders to halt Georgia’s EU integration, warning that the law could be used to suppress dissenting voices. Additionally, the United States condemned the Georgian parliament’s decision to override the presidential veto, expressing concern about the implications for freedom of expression and democracy in the country.