The bureau of Liberal International is deeply concerned by the news of legislation to aimed at punishing civil society organisations in receipt of international support in Georgia. Set to be tabled before the parliament, if successful the bill will weaken the country’s international standing, embolden anti-democrats, and leaving it with more in common with Russia than with Europe. We firmly believe that this is not the future in freedom and respect for the fundamental human rights that most Georgians want.

Upon learning the bill is supported in principle by the governing Georgian Dream government, the Liberal International bureau expressed their alarm: ‘The international community, particularly the European Union, must see this this bill as red line. That the government has decided to prioritise targeting Georgians working to make a positive difference to the future of their country rather than Putin’s Russia which seeks to expand its malign influence across Georgia’s lands is as incomprehensible as it is disgraceful.

“A thriving civil society is essential to a robust democracy. We call on members of parliament from across the political spectrum to denounce this bill in the strongest terms, to vote it down, to unite in support of peace, stability, and Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic future. This bill is a cynical attempt by the Georgian Dream to weaken accountability and strengthen their grip on power ahead of parliamentary elections in 2024.”

Liberal International counts two member parties from Georgia, The Republican Party (Full member) and Girchi More Freedom (Observer member).