A coalition made of 10 Georgian NGOs and media organizations has issued a shared statement condemning the government’s further attempt to introduce legislation aimed at suppressing civil society and the press. The coalition accused the government of trying to ‘repackage the Russian law’.
The statement argues that any legislation restricting fundamental freedoms goes against the constitution and is a direct attack on Georgia’s pro-European direction. “The Russian law, in any of its forms, will never be Georgia’s choice,” it reads, and further warns that, similarly to Russia and other authoritarian states, such a law would eventually be expanded and result in greater repression.
The government has framed the initiative as something similar to the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), however, the NGOs reject the comparison. “Unlike Ivanishvili’s illegitimate government, FARA does not suppress independent NGOs and free media,” they declare.
The statement also criticizes the general breakdown of civil society under Ivanishvili’s leadership, pointing out politically motivated arrests, violent repression, and efforts to freeze social funds, including support for women, children, scientists, and marginalized communities. “This regime is attempting to silence every manifestation of freedom,” the statement reads.
Among the 102 signatories are major human rights organizations, independent media outlets, and civic groups, including:
- Transparency International Georgia
- Human Rights Center
- Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association
- Center for Social Justice
- Netgazeti
- Tbilisi Pride
- JamNews
- Women’s Fund in Georgia
- Environmental Community Organization ECO
- Georgian Reforms Association (GRASS)
“For the third year now, Georgian civil society has been telling Ivanishvili clearly that we do not intend to live and operate under Russian laws,” the coalition reaffirmed its dedication to the country’s democratic direction.
