This article reports on recent amendments to several laws in Georgia, a country in the South Caucasus region. The changes are seen as repressive and aimed at consolidating power by the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party. Here’s a summary of the key points:
* Introduced a provision allowing the Minister of Interior to recruit police without a competitive process, which raises concerns about recruiting individuals with questionable backgrounds.
* Allows for the recruitment of people sponsored by GD into the police force.
**Crackdown on Pyrotechnics**
* Amended the Law on Product Safety and Free Circulation to restrict the sale, purchase, and use of pyrotechnics to those with a special license.
* Introduced heavy fines (GEL 2,000-6,000) for violating export/import/production/sale and purchase/storage/use of pyrotechnics.
**Law on Civil Service Amendments**
* Department heads and deputy heads are no longer considered civil servants but “administratively contracted,” making them subject to political will.
* This change undermines the principle of professional and independent public administration.
* Performance evaluations will be conducted twice a year, with unsatisfactory performance leading to a 20% pay cut or dismissal.
* The reorganization provision allows for redundancies and subsequent re-hiring or re-assignment without legal challenge.
**What’s Next?**
* The laws are scheduled to take effect in the first months of 2025 but have yet to be signed by the president.
* The amendments complete other repressive laws passed by GD in 2024, including the Foreign Agents Law and the Anti-LGBT Law.
These changes are seen as an attempt by GD to consolidate power and restrict civil liberties.