In the heart of Tbilisi, a wave of collective dissent swells, Georgian citizens unite in an emphatic protest against the controversial ‘foreign agent’ law. The draft law, which has passed the second of three votes, would require organizations in the former Soviet country that receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register as “foreign agents” or face crippling fines.
Tsotne Jafaridze, a local winemaker turned nightly protester, encapsulates the urgency felt by many, “If we don’t protect our freedom right now – our European and Western future – tomorrow we’re going to wake up in Russia. And that will be it.” Georgia’s bid for the EU, supported by approximately 80% of its citizens.
Levan Khabeishvili, chairman of the opposition United National Movement party, shared a photo of his swollen and blackened face after he said he was brutally beaten on Tuesday night. Khabeishvili said he was giving an interview outside parliament when he saw a young man being detained by police, and tried to intervene.
Gert Jan Koopman of the European Commission’s enlargement directorate stated, “The law … as it stands is unacceptable and will create serious obstacles for the EU accession path.” Similarly, White House national security spokesman John Kirby expressed deep concerns about the bill’s potential to stifle free speech.
“The Georgian government is clearly siding with the Putinist, anti-liberal forces of the world,” Sabanandze, the former EU ambassador, said. “It’s turning into an instrument in the hands of Russia. I cannot speculate. I have no idea whether they’re working on Russia’s instructions, but they certainly are fulfilling their interests.”
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili, who sides with the protesters against government plans to introduce a “provocative” Russian-style “foreign agents” law — told the EU diplomats they can help show Georgians that the country “is not alone” in aspirations to move closer to the West and away from any Kremlin influence. “I would like to say that the responsibility of what is happening today, what will happen tomorrow…lies with the government of the country, because the chain of these events has been triggered by them,” she added.
Protesters and others began gathering. on central Rustaveli Avenue in front of the parliament building and near the Kashveti Church for the Easter vigil. The official liturgy was to take place at another cathedral, but those who have participated in protest rallies have said they will return to Rustaveli Avenue. Despite the rain, many people on social networks say they will spend the night there.
Georgia’s parliament on Wednesday approved the second reading of the bill, which the opposition says is modelled on a law the Kremlin has used to crack down on opponents in Russia. Parliamentary debates on Thursday were cancelled after what officials called an “attack” on the legislature. Georgians continue to assert, in Jafaridze’s words, “I don’t think it’s possible to defeat these people. This is not Belarus. This is not Russia.”
Relevant articles:
– Georgia rocked by protests as government pushes Putin-style ‘foreign agent’ bill, cnn.com, 05/05/2024
– Georgian President Urges EU Support As Protesters Gather At Easter Vigil, Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, 05/04/2024
– UN, EU, US urge Georgia to halt ‘foreign agents’ bill as protests grow, Al Jazeera English, 05/02/2024
– Georgia parliament cancels session amid mass protests over ‘foreign agents’ bill, JURIST, 05/04/2024