After two days of violent protests, Georgia’s ruling party withdrew a bill Thursday that would mandate some nongovernmental groups and independent media outlets to register as “foreign agents.”
After two days of violent street protests, Georgia’s ruling Dream party withdrew a bill Thursday that would require some nongovernmental groups and independent media outlets to register as “foreign agents.”The bill was opposed by thousands of protesters who clashed with law enforcement outside the Parliament building in Tbilisi over the past two days, likening it to a decades-old law in Russia that the Kremlin has used to target dissenting voices.
The decision to withdraw the bill unconditionally was made to maintain “peace,” according to the ruling party. Restoring tranquility and economic development, as well as European integration, was a priority, a statement issued by the party and its allies said, according to the government-affiliated websiteThe ruling party blasted its critics, saying the bill was presented in a “negative light” to mislead the public by likening it to the Russian law.
The legislation, which cleared an initial vote Tuesday, would require all nongovernmental organizations and media groups that derive more than 20 percent of their revenue from abroad to register with the government as “agents of foreign influence,” subjecting them to additional scrutiny and opening them up to the possibility of harsh penalties.
Tens of thousands rally in Tbilisi demanding the withdrawal of the Russia-style 'foreign agents' law' and the release of those detained during the last night's crackdown on yesterday's rally
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