Eka Gigauri, the Executive Director of Transparency International-Georgia, has recently come under fire from the Anti-Corruption Bureau for her testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee regarding anti-NGO laws. The Bureau has labeled Gigauri’s organization, along with another public movement called Vote for Europe, as “political actors with declared electoral objectives” due to their efforts to mobilize voters.
This decision has been met with criticism from U.S. Senators, who have called it “unconscionable” and a form of punishment for Gigauri’s testimony. In a joint statement, Senators Jim Risch, Ben Cardin, Jeanne Shaheen, and Pete Ricketts expressed concern over the Bureau’s actions, stating that it proves how autocratic governments are using laws to silence independent voices.
Local civil society organizations (CSOs) and opposition politicians have also spoken out against the Bureau’s decision, arguing that it goes beyond their mandate of monitoring political parties and sets a dangerous precedent for restricting the activities and freedom of expression of other CSOs. The Bureau has also required TI-Georgia, Vote for Europe, and their leaders to disclose their financial statements, which has raised further concerns about the misuse of the law.
This targeting of CSOs for their voter mobilization efforts is seen as a threat to democracy and the right to free and fair elections. It is important for governments to respect the work of civil society organizations and not use laws to silence their voices. The actions of the Anti-Corruption Bureau in Georgia serve as a reminder of the importance of protecting the independence and integrity of CSOs in promoting transparency and accountability in government.
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