The NGO Forum on ADB is a network of more than 300 civil society organizations based in Asia. We express our solidarity with the thousands of Georgians from all walks of lives who continue to speak out against the repressive ‘foreign agent law‘, despite being confronted by repressive police forces every day. We, along with allied organizations, interpret this law as a way to stifle civil society and independent press, especially since it labels media outlets and NGOs receiving more than 20 percent foreign funding as “organizations that act in the interests of a foreign force”. In this regard, it is confirmed that, during the Annual Governors’ Meeting held in Tbilisi, Georgia, earlier this month, NGO Forum on ADB along with its members, and allied civil societies groups, abstained at the Georgian Government’s Host Country Dinner on May 4th in a deliberate gesture of solidarity with defiant protest.
We are seeing a trend in Asia where similar laws and policies are being used to target civil society, environmental activists and human rights defenders. As a multilateral financial organization that provides loans, technical assistance and project financing to highly repressive governments, the ADB is nothing less than complicit. We urge international financial institutions, such as the ADB to stop disbursements of loans, grants and other funds until civil society groups both in the country and abroad have confirmed significant improvements for civic space.
We salute the courage and determination of those who continue to express their firm opposition against the passage of the law on foreign agents in Georgia. Their unwavering commitment in standing on the right-hand side of history during this critical time is an inspiration to all. We will be present as observers, ready to reaffirm our support for their advocacy to challenge parliamentarians’ decision to move forward with the law and push for an immediate, unqualified repeal of this repressive statute.
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