At the 56th session of the UN Human Rights Council, Lithuania, on behalf of 36 countries, expressed concern about the Russian law on so-called Foreign Agents adopted in Georgia, describing it as a serious threat to human rights.
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36 countries call on the Georgian government to repeal the Russian Law, end the intimidation of protesters, and protect civil society, freedom of assembly, and association.
“We echo the concern expressed by the High Commissioner in his global update regarding recent developments in Georgia, and particularly the adoption of the so-called transparency of foreign influence law. This law poses a serious threat to civil society, human rights and the rule of law in Georgia.
The law is intended to have a chilling effect on the work of media outlets, human rights defenders, and civil society organisations, with the aim of silencing their voices.
The law was passed in disregard for concerns of large parts of the Georgian people and despite repeated calls to refrain from advancing the legislation from the international community, including the Venice Commission’s detailed legal arguments.
We urge the Georgian government to revoke the “transparency of foreign influence” law”, to end the campaign of intimidation against those objecting to the law and protect freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.
Civil society is the backbone of democracies, helping to ensure accountability, genuine transparency and resilience to malign influences.
We urge the Georgian Government to fully cease and transparently investigate all acts of the use of force against peaceful protesters who oppose the law, take appropriate action to ensure the safety of protestors, civil society or opposition activists, journalists and other media workers and refrain from rhetoric which could further fuel the extreme polarization in the country.
An orchestrated campaign of defamation, intimidation, and physical violence against civil society leaders and others is unacceptable and must be halted,” the joint statement said.
The following countries have appealed to the Georgian authorities regarding the Russian Law:
- Albania
- Lithuania
- Austria
- Luxembourg
- Belgium
- Malta
- Bulgaria
- Monaco
- Canada
- Montenegro
- Croatia
- Netherlands
- Cyprus
- Norway
- Czechia
- Poland
- Denmark
- Portugal
- Estonia
- Romania
- Finland
- Slovenia
- France
- Spain
- Sweden
- Germany
- Greece
- Switzerland
- Ukraine
- Iceland
- Ireland
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- Italy
- United States of America
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
