Georgia’s Gen Z is spearheading the protests against the “foreign agents” bill.
The protests have risen ever since the government announced the “foreign agents” bill.
The government revived the bill in April. The bill obliges NGOs to declare themselves as “foreign agents” if they receive 20% or more of their funds from abroad.
Students are especially opposed to the bill. Those studying in prestigious educational institutes walked out of classes to join the protests on Monday.
Students say they are protesting because they dislike the government. They also worry that the bill may hinder Georgia’s EU accession.
The draft bill has been dubbed by students as the “Russian law.” However, the Kremlin has denied any association with the Georgian legislation.
The Georgian Dream party says the legislation will enhance the transparency of NGO funding. It will protect the country from interference by Western powers.
The bill also threatens Georgia’s bid to join the EU. The bloc has also threatened sanctions
But the EU’s chief diplomat Josep Borrell said there will be no sanctions as of now.
“We are not there yet” on sanctions.
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has accused Western nations of “blackmail” when he was asked about possible sanctions by the EU. He said that party founder Ivanishvili was already under “de facto sanctions.”
He provided no evidence.
Polls show the majority of Georgia’s 3.7 million people back EU accession. Georgian Dream says it wants to join the bloc, as well as the NATO military alliance, despite its anti-Western rhetoric.
The Georgian government has detained twenty people at the protests on Monday. This includes two US citizens and one Russian national.
(REUTERS)
