**New Legislation Threatens Role of NGOs in Georgian Decision-Making**
The ruling party, Georgian Dream (GD), and the opposition movement People’s Power have proposed changes to 14 different laws. If passed, these changes would significantly reduce the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in public decision-making processes.
According to an explanatory note, the initiative aims to address the perceived failure of mandatory NGO participation in serving its intended purpose. The document claims that recent developments, including controversies surrounding USAID funding, have shown that NGO involvement hinders effective state governance.
The proposed amendments would impact several key provisions of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament. For example, Article 206, which currently allows for CSO representation on a public defender commission, would be amended to exclude such participation. Additionally, candidates for the Prosecutorial Council and Disciplinary Board of Judges would no longer be selected from among individuals nominated by non-profit organizations.
**GD Claims NGOs Lack Legitimacy**
Archil Gorduladze, head of the GD parliamentary committee on legal affairs, defended the proposed changes, stating that decisions should be made by those with public legitimacy. He claimed that NGOs do not have this legitimacy and therefore their participation in decision-making is not mandatory.
The GD has also reiterated its narrative that NGOs funded by foreign sources do not serve the interests of local communities but rather advance external agendas.
**NGO Involvement Essential for EU Integration**
Notably, the participation of civil society organizations in decision-making processes was a key recommendation from the European Union during Georgia’s accession talks. This move threatens to undermine the country‘s progress towards EU integration.
Read More @ civil.ge