Georgia’s ruling party has submitted draft legislation aimed at effectively outlawing foreign funding for civic activities, Amnesty International said in a statement.
Organization says the proposed amendments would significantly expand the definition of a “grant” to include virtually any foreign funding or in-kind support that the government does not approve of — ranging from political activism and analytical work to expert advice.
“The government’s proposed changes to the law on grants are highly damaging and signify Georgia’s further expansion of authoritarian practices to silence and criminalize dissent and entrench power,” said Denis Krivosheev, Deputy Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia at Amnesty International. “If the law were to pass, no ‘grants’ would be allowed without the government’s express prior approval, and those who receive them otherwise risk being imprisoned.”
Amnesty International described the initiative as a direct attempt to criminalize independent civil society, political opposition, and public engagement outside government control.
The organization stressed that seeking, using, and receiving foreign funding or in-kind support is essential to the functioning of civil society and is protected under international law. Amnesty International urged the authorities of Georgia to withdraw the legislative proposals and bring the country’s legislation fully into line with its international human rights obligations, including the rights to freedom of association and expression.
