Tens of thousands rally in Tbilisi against ‘foreign influence’ bill
TBILISI: Tens of thousands of Georgians descended onto Tbilisi’s Europe Square Saturday in the latest mass protest against a “foreign influence” bill likened to repressive Russian legislation that has sparked outrage.
The Caucasus country has been gripped by protests since early April, when in a shock move billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili’s ruling Georgian Dream party brought the bill back a year after dropping it.
If passed, the bill would require NGOs receiving at least 20 percent of foreign funding — encompassing virtually all groups in the sector — to register as acting under “foreign influence”.
The bill, which would also affect independent media, mirrors legislation used by the Kremlin to silence dissent and has been dubbed the “Russian law” in Georgia, which observers say has seen democratic backsliding in recent years.
Georgian Dream has defended the bill, saying it will increase transparency over NGOs’ foreign funding. It says it aims to sign the measure into law by midMay.
Protesters say the bill is proof the ruling party is steering Georgia away from the national goal of joining the European Union and is being used to consolidate power.
“We realise what this law will do to our country... We will not have freedom of speech,” said 21year-old student Anri Papidze, who came to the protest.
He said he would do “everything” for the protests to be successful and for Georgia to join the EU.
Under the pouring rain, many chanted “No to Russian law!” and held Georgian, EU and Ukrainian flags.
The protests have been led by the youngest generations and are heavy in anti-Kremlin slogans, with young Georgians worried authorities are bringing the ex-Soviet country back under Russia’s orbit.
“We are protecting our European future and our freedom,” said 39-year-old Mariam Meunargia.
“But we see that our government is taking us in the Russian direction.”