Georgia

2024 - 5 - 15

Georgia on the Brink: US Warns Against Pro-Russia Law Amid Mass Protests

Foreign Agents Law - Georgia - Protests - US-EU Relations

US tensions with Georgia over a controversial 'foreign agent' law spark protests and warnings of funding cuts. Thousands rally against the bill, risking EU bid. Learn more below!

In a dramatic turn of events, the US has issued a stern warning to Georgia, urging the country not to align with Moscow against the West. The tension arises from Georgia's approval of a contentious 'foreign agent' law, described as 'Kremlin-inspired,' which has triggered mass protests across the nation. Critics fear that the law, dubbed the 'Russia law,' could infringe on civil liberties and stifle dissent. Despite the uproar, Georgian lawmakers have passed the bill, leading to thousands taking to the streets in protest.

The passage of the bill requiring organizations to register as foreign agents if they receive over 20% of their funding from abroad has sparked outrage among the populace. Protesters flooded the main streets of Georgia's capital, demanding a reversal of the decision. The situation escalated as police fired tear gas at demonstrators, and chaotic scenes ensued in the parliament with MPs engaging in physical altercations. European Union officials have warned that this law poses a significant obstacle to Georgia's aspirations to join the EU.

In a defiant move, Georgia's ruling party, Georgian Dream, pushed forward with the 'foreign agents' bill despite prolonged opposition and Brussels' admonitions. The controversial legislation, reminiscent of Russia's policies, has raised concerns about the country's democratic values and international relations. Meanwhile, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Chair-in-Office, Ian Borg, is set to visit Georgia, seeking to navigate the escalating tensions and engage with key government figures.

In a surprising twist, the adoption of the Russia-style 'foreign agents' law in Georgia mirrors a growing global trend of governments imposing restrictive measures on NGOs and civil society under the guise of national security. The clash between the US and Georgia highlights the delicate balance between strategic alliances and sovereignty, underscoring the complexities of international politics in the modern era.

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

US warns Georgia not to side with Moscow against the west (The Guardian)

Official suggests US funding could be pulled as new 'Kremlin-inspired' law provokes mass protests.

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Image courtesy of "BBC News"

Georgia approves controversial 'foreign agent' law, sparking more ... (BBC News)

Critics say the bill - which they call the "Russia law" - could be used to threaten civil liberties. After the vote, protesters tried to enter the parliament ...

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Image courtesy of "FRANCE 24"

Thousands protest in Georgia after lawmakers pass controversial ... (FRANCE 24)

Thousands of protesters rallied Tuesday in Georgia after parliament adopted a law to brand overseas-funded NGOs as groups under “foreign influence”, ...

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Image courtesy of "Aljazeera.com"

Thousands protest after Georgia Parliament passes 'foreign agents' bill (Aljazeera.com)

The bill requires organisations receiving more than 20 percent of their funding from abroad to register as foreign agents.

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Image courtesy of "The Associated Press"

Protesters throng main streets of Georgia's capital after parliament ... (The Associated Press)

The Georgian parliament on Tuesday approved in the third and final reading a divisive bill that sparked weeks of mass protests, with critics seeing it as a ...

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Police fire teargas at protesters and MPs brawl as Georgia passes ... (The Guardian)

Vote to adopt bill a 'serious obstacle' to Georgia's bid to join EU, European Commission warns.

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Image courtesy of "CNN"

Georgia passes controversial 'foreign agents' bill despite ... (CNN)

Georgia's Parliament passed a controversial “foreign agents” despite widespread domestic opposition and warnings from the European Union that its enactment ...

OSCE Chair-in-Office Ian Borg to visit Georgia (OSCE)

During his visit, Minister Borg will meet with President Salome Zourabichvili, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Chairman of the Parliament Shalva Papuashvili ...

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Image courtesy of "Financial Times"

Georgia adopts Russia-style 'foreign agents' law (Financial Times)

Ruling Georgian Dream party presses ahead with bill despite months of protests and warnings from Brussels.

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Image courtesy of "University System of Georgia"

Dr. Michelle R. Johnston Named President of Georgia Southwestern ... (University System of Georgia)

The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) today named Dr. Michelle R. Johnston president of Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW), ...

Small Georgia Agency's Big Part in Climate, Infrastructure Spending (Governing)

The state's Environmental Finance Authority acts as a bank, a development authority and an aid agency all at once. The agency's mission is about to get even ...

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Image courtesy of "USAID"

United States Deeply Concerned About Georgia's Foreign Influence ... (USAID)

We strongly condemn today's vote in the Georgian Parliament in favor of the “foreign influence” legislation, which undermines Georgia's vibrant civil ...

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Image courtesy of "Eurasianet"

Georgia taking authoritarian turn with adoption of foreign agents ... (Eurasianet)

Georgia has entered a realm of uncertainty after MPs dismissed cautions from US and EU leaders, as well as ignored mass protests that clogged the streets ...

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Image courtesy of "Euronews"

Georgia's prime minister says 'Russian law' necessary for peace as ... (Euronews)

The White House said it was "deeply troubled" that parliament had passed the bill. The UK, Germany, Italy and France have also all urged Georgia to withdraw ...

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Image courtesy of "Aljazeera.com"

Georgia parliament passes 'foreign agent' bill, triggering massive ... (Aljazeera.com)

The measure, described as authoritarian and Russian inspired, was approved despite warnings from the EU and the US.

Situation in Georgia (Council of Europe)

“The adoption at third reading of the draft law 'on transparency of foreign influence' by the Parliament of Georgia, without waiting for the opinion of the ...

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Georgia 'returning to the past' with foreign agents law, says president (The Guardian)

Salome Zurabishvili says protests in Tbilisi prove Georgians 'will never return to Russian pressure'

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Image courtesy of "OHCHR"

Türk deeply regrets adoption of 'foreign influence' law in Georgia (OHCHR)

GENEVA (15 May 2024) – UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Thursday expressed deep regret at the adoption by Georgia's Parliament of the Law on ...

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Image courtesy of "POLITICO.eu"

EU condemns Georgia over brutal 'Russian law' crackdown (POLITICO.eu)

Brussels warns the country that its Kremlin-style civil society restrictions could imperil its EU bid.

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Image courtesy of "Aljazeera.com"

NATO warns Georgia 'foreign agents' bill is 'step in wrong direction' (Aljazeera.com)

Protests set to continue as Western nations urge Georgian authorities against adopting 'Kremlin-style' measure.

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Image courtesy of "Financial Times"

EU to freeze Georgia's accession bid if it enacts Russia-inspired law (Financial Times)

The ruling Georgian Dream party on Tuesday adopted the bill, which obliges media and civil groups that receive foreign funding to register with the government, ...

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Image courtesy of "Eurasianet"

Georgia: Tracing the rise of illiberalism in Tbilisi (Eurasianet)

Opinion polls showed large majorities supporting membership in the European Union and NATO, and the liberal ideals those institutions embody. The government, ...

Georgia: UN experts condemn adoption of Law on Transparency of ... (OHCHR)

GENEVA (15 May 2024) – Adoption of the controversial 'Foreign Agents' law by the Georgian Parliament will have a chilling effect on civil society, ...

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Image courtesy of "Reuters"

EU urges Georgia to withdraw 'foreign agent' bill (Reuters)

The European Union urged Georgia on Wednesday to withdraw its controversial "foreign agents" law and warned that the measure would set back the country's ...

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Image courtesy of "Voice of America"

Georgia riled by new protests after parliament passes 'foreign agent ... (Voice of America)

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Tbilisi, Georgia, in protest of the parliament's passage Tuesday of what critics call a Russian-style ...

Georgia Southern awarded $600000 to lower equity gaps, increase ... (Georgia Southern University Newsroom)

Students at Georgia Southern University now have even more opportunities to excel with the help of two new grants from the National Institute for Student ...

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Image courtesy of "Aljazeera.com"

Georgia's 'foreign agents' bill: What's the controversy about? What's ... (Aljazeera.com)

The 'Russia law' will make it hard for Georgia to join European Union, argue protesters, the US and Baltic states.

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Image courtesy of "Voice of America"

New protests erupt in Georgia after parliament passes 'foreign agent ... (Voice of America)

Demonstrators gather in the Square of Heroes during a protest against "the Russian law" in the center of Tbilisi, Georgia, on May 14, 2024, the day the Georgian ...

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Image courtesy of "The Banker"

Bank of Georgia CEO insists 'middle ground' still possible amid ... (The Banker)

The country's largest bank saw its share price slump more than 15 per cent on Wednesday after the passage of the foreign agents law.

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Why has Georgia's 'foreign agents' bill caused so much protest and ... (The Guardian)

The law, now passed, which places restrictions on organisations with overseas funding, will damage civil society, say critics.

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Image courtesy of "The New York Review of Books"

Georgia Erupts | Christian Caryl (The New York Review of Books)

Protestors in Georgia are opposing a “foreign agents” law and defending a liberal-democratic vision for their country.

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Image courtesy of "CBS News"

Georgia's parliament passes controversial "foreign agent" law amid ... (CBS News)

Tens of thousands of people gathered in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi to protest the law's passage.

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Image courtesy of "App State Athletics"

App State-Georgia Southern Alter Series Schedule (App State Athletics)

BOONE, N.C. – Due to forecasted inclement weather, App State Baseball has announced schedule changes to its three-game series against Georgia Southern.

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Image courtesy of "Atlantic Council"

Georgia's government uses Kremlin playbook to consolidate grip on ... (Atlantic Council)

Georgia is currently at the crossroads as the government pushes through contentious Kremlin-style legislation that opponents say will stifle civil society ...

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Image courtesy of "Georgia Bulldogs"

Oscar Pinto Sansano Signs with Georgia Men's Tennis Program ... (Georgia Bulldogs)

ATHENS, Ga. — The University of Georgia men's tennis program has signed transfer Oscar Pinto Sansano, incoming head coach Jamie Hunt announced on Wedne...

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Image courtesy of "UN News"

UN rights chief, independent experts denounce Georgia's new ... (UN News)

The adoption of the controversial “foreign agents” law in Georgia seriously undermines the freedoms of expression and association, the UN's top human rights ...

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