**Human Rights Watch Criticizes Proposed Law in Georgia**
A new law proposed in Georgia could harm the country‘s independent civil society. The bill, similar to a US law called FARA, would require some groups to register as “foreign agents.” Human Rights Watch (HRW) says this is not good and could lead to problems.
**Groups Must Register or Face Consequences**
The proposed law gives groups a choice: register as foreign agents or face prison or exile. This is not what HRW wants. The group’s director, Hugh Williamson, said this would be bad for Georgia’s civil society.
“It could spell the end of Georgia’s independent civil society,” he warned.
**HRW Says Law is Not Like US FARA**
HRW says the Georgian law is different from the US FARA law. The US law aims to monitor foreign influence on domestic politics, but the Georgian bill is too broad and could be used to hurt independent groups.
“The Georgian Dream leadership has made many statements to indicate that the authorities intend to use the law to shutter civil society,” HRW said.
**Other Concerns**
HRW also criticized other proposed laws in Georgia. These include restrictions on broadcasting and the police’s ability to detain people for 48 hours without a court order.
Williamson said these laws would make things worse in Georgia and hurt human rights.
**Civil Society Groups Agree**
Over 100 Georgian civil society organizations agree with HRW that the bill is bad. They say it is unconstitutional and aimed at suppressing freedom of expression.
HRW says the government should scrap the bill to avoid deepening the human rights crisis in Georgia.
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