The Foreign Relations Committee has announced that the US Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee will discuss the bipartisan “Georgian People‘s Act” at its meeting scheduled for 25 September.
The Georgian People’s Act, among other things, envisages visa restrictions/sanctions for those persons who hinder Georgia’s progress on the Euro-Atlantic path, and also emphasizes the obligation of the US Senate to support Georgian civil society in light of recent developments.
The Bill proposes a number of measures to respond to recent actions and policies of the Georgian Government, including sanctions against Georgian officials, an assessment of foreign assistance and a reassessment on the existing bilateral relationships. The bill also reaffirms US commitment to Georgian people, civil society, and democracy.
In response to a bill passed by the Georgian parliament that restricts the functioning and independence of the civil society, US senators introduced a bipartisan measure that would hold Georgian government officials and individuals responsible for corruption, violations of human rights, and for promoting/supporting this law.
In a statement posted on the website of US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on May 24, “the [Georgian People’s Act] will strengthen the United States of America’s continued support to the people of Georgia who support a democratic and Euro-Atlantic tomorrow.”
The Georgian People’s Act is divided into two main parts. First:
1. Outline the consequences that will imposed on representatives of the Georgian Government and individuals who are responsible of hindering the Euro-Atlantic Integration of Georgia. It demands that the State Department impose travel restrictions for Georgians and their families for participating in the promotion of and supporting the “Foreign agents” act. New sanctions should also be imposed for those who are responsible of undermining the stability or territorial integrity of Georgia.
2. Demands that State Department develop a strategy for Georgia that is long-term, including reviewing military assistance, and that the US government stop all funding to the Georgian government.
3. Calling for the suspension of the strategic dialogue between Georgia and the United States.
Second:
1. In light of recent events, the US Senate emphasizes its commitment to support the civil societies of Georgia;
2. At least 50 million dollars US to support democracy and rule-of-law development projects in Georgia
3. Demands that State Department and US Agency for International Development determine the best way to continue to support the civil society of Georgia in light recent developments.
4. Two reporting requirements are required to assess (1) the extent to which foreign influence is felt in Georgia and (2) the efforts to support Georgian political prisoner.
The Georgia People’s Act was drafted by Senators Jin Shaheen & Jim Risch.
According to the draft law, Georgian politicians will face travel bans and other penalties if they are found guilty of “obstructing Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic Integration”, “corruption, violations of human rights, and drafting and facilitation of the adoption” (of the “Foreign Agents Law”).
Read More @ georgiatoday.ge