The Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum conducted a survey from July 30 to 2 September of 53 civil societies in Georgia to assess the impact the Foreign Agents Law has had on the Georgian Civil Society Sector. The survey found that the law’s effects have already affected 70% of CSOs in different ways.
The survey found that this impact was reflected by organizations and their employees being subjected online threats and harassing, increased scrutiny from authorities, increased administrative workloads, negative media coverage against them, as well as offline threats and harassing, including verbal or physical threats, posters displayed, and phone calls directed to them or their family members.
The Foreign Agents Law, which was passed in early September, requires organizations that receive over 20 percent of their funding through foreign sources to register. Foreign agents are defined as “organizations that pursue the interests of a Foreign Power.” Many organizations initially said they would refuse to register. The registration deadline passed in early Septembre, and now it’s only a matter time before the Justice Ministry fines those who didn’t register, but “forcefully” registers them. The Ministry of Justice will only start fining those who did not comply after the documents of registered organizations have been checked and published.
The document notes that the law is widely criticized for limiting the freedom of civil society to express itself and for imposing restrictions on activists and independent voices.
The survey found, however, that the majority of respondents would not register as foreign agents in a registry special, even if they remained in power after the elections in October.
The survey found that 75 percent demanded financial support to cover the costs associated with non-compliance. In addition, 62 per cent expressed a need for more legal assistance, including pro bono services from local lawyers. And 57 per cent wanted advocacy support including policy dialogues with EU and international stakeholders.
The survey states that CSOs are highly vulnerable to the Foreign Agent Law because they rely heavily on international funding.
The 53 respondents confirmed that almost all (94%) receive more than 20% of their funding from foreign donors. They therefore feel that the Foreign Agents Law is going to have a “strong effect” on them due to its “overarching stigmatizing effects, disproportionate sanctions enforcement mechanism, and burdensome reporting and administrative requirements.”
Also Read:
* 17/05/2024: Adopted “Agents Law”, which differs from the original, foresees personal fines – Experts
* 02/10/2024: First entries in Foreign Agents Registry appear as Constitutional Court remains silent
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