Georgia opposition leaders urge UK to oppose foreign influence bill
Georgian opposition leaders are urging the UK to take a stronger stance against what they perceive as a clampdown on civil society in their nation.
They’re appealing to the foreign secretary to demonstrate to the ruling party that the global community stands united against the proposed measures.
The Transparency of Foreign Influence Bill is anticipated to clear its final legislative hurdles in the coming days. Demonstrators have flooded the streets of Tbilisi, the capital, to protest against the legislation, which would compel non-governmental organizations and media outlets to register as “entities serving the interests of a foreign power” if over 20% of their funding originates from abroad.
While the Georgian Dream party, in power, argues that the bill would enhance transparency and safeguard Georgia’s sovereignty, opponents contend that it will be exploited to silence dissenting voices and political parties in advance of the October general election. They also assert that it aims to thwart Georgia’s aspirations for European Union membership, a move that the EU would likely oppose.
Referred to as “the Russian bill” due to its resemblance to legislation utilized by the Kremlin to suppress opposition, the proposal has prompted massive demonstrations across the nation, situated on the eastern coast of the Black Sea.
The United States has vocally criticized the bill, with National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan expressing deep concern about democratic regression in Georgia.
Sullivan emphasized that Georgian lawmakers must decide between honoring the people’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations or enacting a law reminiscent of Kremlin tactics, which contradicts democratic principles. He affirmed the United States’ solidarity with the Georgian populace.
In contrast, the UK has been more discreet in expressing its opposition.
In a written parliamentary answer published quietly last week, the Minister for Europe, Nusrat Ghani, said the UK’s ambassador in Tbilisi had “consistently voiced our concerns about the proposed law” in recent meetings with the prime minister and president.
She said she had discussed the issue herself with the Georgian ambassador in London last month.
Her only other public remarks came 10 days ago, in a post on social media warning against “excessive use of force by police against peaceful protestors in Tbilisi”, which she said was “not in line with democratic values and risks Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations”.
But Georgian opposition MPs want Ms Ghani and Foreign Secretary David Cameron to go much further.
Giorgi Vashadze, an MP and leader of the Strategy Builder party, said: “Lord Cameron was one of the leading international supporters of Georgia when we were invaded in 2008.
“We were thankful for his support, which did so much to raise the country’s spirits.
“As foreign secretary, I ask him to please do the same to highlight the government’s attempts to clamp down on opposition during an election year.”
Tina Bokuchava, Georgian MP and parliamentary leader of the United National Movement, said: “These written answers show that the UK government has been privately concerned about the situation in Georgia.
“We now need these concerns to be made public, so that the ruling party understands that the international community is united in opposition to such authoritarian actions.”
A spokesperson for the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office told the BBC the UK is “gravely concerned” about the foreign influence bill.
“The accompanying rhetoric and excessive force used by police against protesters are deeply concerning,” they said.
=”We urge the Georgian authorities to show restraint in policing peaceful demonstrations.”
“The UK continues to engage with the Georgian government and civil society groups in Tbilisi, and our ambassador has consistently made our concerns about the proposed law known to the Georgian government, most recently to the prime minister on 22 April.”
