“The intimidation, threats and physical assaults on civil society representatives, political leaders and journalists, as well as their families is unacceptable,” they added. “We call on the Georgian authorities to investigate these documented acts.”
Dozens of Georgians have been detained in recent weeks while protesting the ruling Georgian Dream party’s proposals to brand NGOs, campaign groups and media outlets that receive more than 20 percent of their funding from abroad as “organizations serving the interests of a foreign power.”
On Tuesday, as the country’s parliament voted in favor of the bill at its third reading, riot police with shields and batons, backed by water cannons, moved in to clear demonstrators who had gathered outside the building.
Meanwhile, academics and opposition figures have faced threatening calls and even beatings as part of what they say is an organized campaign to silence their criticism of the draft law.
“The EU has clearly and repeatedly stated that the spirit and content of the law are not in line with EU core norms and values,” the statement cautioned. “It will undermine the work of civil society and independent media while freedom of association and freedom of expression are fundamental rights at the core of Georgia’s commitments as part of the Association Agreement and of any EU accession path.”
