The processes related to the "Law on Foreign Agents" (also known as the "Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence") are moving at a breakneck pace. Not only has the draft law been registered in parliament, kicking off the formal process of hearings, but the party that initiated it has quickly introduced a second, alternative version of the draft law, claiming that the latter, unlike the first, is a "verbatim translation of the US FARA (Foreign Agents Registration Act)." However, Georgian CSOs and targeted media representatives say these measures are motivated by a desire to replicate Russia's experience, discredit leaders of the critical media and the CSO sector and deteriorate the working environment for CSOs.
Law expected to be adopted after first hearing
Both draft legislations are now slated to be considered within committees, first by the defense and security, and international relations committee on March 2, 2023, and then the following week by the legal issues committee, which serves as the key decision-maker within the committees.
Parallel to these official processes, decision-makers from the governing party have already said that both draft laws have their support, which will almost certainly lead to the law's adoption following its first hearing. After this milestone, the governing party intends to present the proposed legislation to the Venice Commission for additional review. Meanwhile, they seem to be certain that their results will not contravene the legislation itself.
International community raises serious concerns
Many international and local stakeholders are paying close attention to the issue. Statements from the EU, COE Commissioner for Human Rights, US, UN, or business associations have been published proactively to protest against the law and the undemocratic intentions behind it, to highlight the contradictions between the objectives of this law and the principles of democratic and judicial governance, and to clarify possible negative consequences that the entire society will have to bear.