The legislative package on “family values and protection of minors” undermines fundamental human rights, including the freedom of expression and assembly, and creates the risk of further stigmatization and discrimination of part of the Georgian population, -the British Embassy in Georgia announced.
The embassy expressed its regret that the legislative package was adopted “in disregard of the advice of the Venice Commission that it should be completely revised and its adoption should be suspended.”
“Great Britain expresses serious concern about the adoption of the legislative package ‘On Family Values and Protection of Minors’ by the Parliament of Georgia in the third reading. This legislative package undermines fundamental human rights, including freedom of expression and assembly, and creates the risk of further stigmatization and discrimination of part of the Georgian population.
“This legislative package will affect all citizens of Georgia. We regret that the legislative package was adopted in disregard of the Venice Commission’s advice that it ‘must be completely revised and its adoption suspended.’
“We call on the Georgian authorities to review the legislative package ‘On Family Values and Protection of Minors,’ which, together with the “Transparency of Foreign Influence” law, restricts the rights of both civil society and individual Georgian citizens and calls into question the long-standing relations between Britain and Georgia”, the statement reads.
The law entitled “On Family Values and Protection of Minors” was approved by the Parliament in the third reading. The so-called draft prepared against LGBT propaganda was adopted by the ruling majority with 84 votes.
