The United Nations Human Rights Chief, Volker Türk, has recently voiced his deep concerns over the adoption of the “Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence” by the Parliament of Georgia. This contentious piece of legislation requires organizations that receive more than 20 percent of their funding from international sources to register as entities working in the interest of foreign entities. Such a law, according to Türk’s statement, severely undermines the freedoms intrinsic to a healthy civil society, including the freedom of expression and the freedom of association.In the face of sustained warnings from various human rights groups and civil society organizations, Georgian lawmakers have welcomed the law with open arms. This, Türk notes, could have dire consequences on the efficacy of these organizations, possibly constraining their activities significantly. What worries the rights chief further is the prospect of this law fostering an atmosphere ridden with fear, suspicion, and hostility targeted against these non-governmental groups.
A Call for Dialogue and Reversal
The UN’s top human rights official, Volker Türk, expressed grave concerns regarding Georgia’s new “Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence.” This law mandates that groups receiving over 20% of their funding from overseas sources must register as foreign agents, a move that Türk believes could significantly shackle civil society. The freedom of expression and association, which are fundamental to democracy, are threatened by this legislation. Despite global human rights organizations warning against such a law, Georgian legislators have nonetheless embraced it. The adoption of this law could curb the work that these organizations do and create a climate of mistrust and intimidation against them. Türk is particularly alarmed by the potential atmosphere of fear, suspicion, and hostility towards these critical NGOs.
