Equality and Human Rights

The Georgian Parliament has passed the final reading of a new "foreign agents" law that targets both organisations and individuals who receive foreign funding and fail to register with the Justice Ministry.  The bill had drawn sharp criticism from Georgian opposition parties as well as U.S. and EU officials, who believe this bill will be used as a tool to suppress civil society and independent media.

The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe meeting in Strasbourg has adopted a critical resolution on Georgia that expresses deep concern over clear signs of democratic backsliding and the weakening of human rights in the country. It points at the increasing polarisation in society and the adoption of legislation that contradicts Council of Europe standards. 101 members voted in favour and only 10 against. The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities is an institution of the Council of Europe, responsible for strengthening local and regional democracy in its 46 member states and assessing the application of the European Charter of Local Self-Government.