EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell criticized the Georgian draft law "On transparency of foreign influence", which copies the Russian law on "foreign agents".
The bill was submitted to the Parliament of Georgia by the People's Power movement. The ruling party "Georgian Dream" previously announced its support for the document. Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili spoke against it.
"The draft law on NGOs submitted to the Parliament by "People's Power" is a cause for concern. Creating and maintaining a favorable environment for the activities of civil society and ensuring media freedom is the basis of democracy. It is also the key to the EU accession process and part 12 of the priorities (recommendations for Georgia to receive the status of a candidate for joining the EU - Ed.)", says the statement provided to Radio Svoboda by Borrell's press secretary.
According to international law, states are obliged to respect, protect and promote a safe and conducive environment for civil society, as well as freedom of expression and freedom of the media, the statement emphasized.
International human rights law and standards recognize that access to resources, including funding, is an integral component of freedom of association enshrined in Article 22 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Georgia is a party. Access to domestic and international funding should not be limited, but should be facilitated, as it is necessary for the existence and important work of civil society," the statement said.
