Georgia

“The ruling Georgian Dream party’s decision to push through Kremlin-inspired ‘foreign agents’ legislation makes it clear that the party wants to ensure its victory in October parliamentary elections by using the law to smear and suppress critical voices” – CPJ

The police used tear gas, rubber bullets, water cannons, and mass arrests against the protesters. There have also been reports of physical attacks on government critics and their family members.

IFEX joins the members of the Media Freedom Rapid Response and other organisations in expressing deep alarm about the Foreign Influence Bill and the sudden rise in violence and other restrictions against Georgia’s journalists reporting on the public protests against the Bill.

“The revival of restrictive legislation against NGOs is part of a larger pattern of assault against a broad range of human rights in Georgia.”

The Georgian Parliament should reject the ‘foreign agents’ bill. The authorities should also investigate allegations of police brutality against journalists and hold those responsible accountable – CPJ

“Georgian authorities’ revival of a bill that would smear media outlets as foreign-controlled is deeply concerning and utterly incompatible with their claim of aligning with European democratic standards” – CPJ

“German and Georgian authorities should treat these allegations with the utmost seriousness and do all they can to safeguard the lives of journalists living in exile” – CPJ

A well-known critic of Georgia’s ruling party, Gvaramia is currently serving a 3.5 year sentence for alleged abuse of office. His prosecution and conviction were widely seen as politically motivated.

Under the new draft law, any organisation receiving over 20% of its income from a “foreign power” will have to register on a “Foreign Influence Agents Registry” or face fines of up to € 8,900.

On 5 July 2021, hundreds of anti-LGBTQI+ protesters attacked more than 50 journalists covering a pride march in Tbilisi. Twenty-five of those attackers were handed prison sentences on 4 April 2022; another was fined.

“Instead of trying to discredit the late cameraman, we demand that the Interior Ministry launch an in-depth, impartial and transparent investigation of the circumstances of his death and of the attacks suffered by journalists whom the police failed to protect.”

Eight media workers were hospitalised in Tblisi after far-right demonstrators attacked journalists and TV crews. Sticks and bottles were thrown and equipment belonging to TV stations was stolen or damaged.

A Russian hitman was allegedly sent by Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov to target TV host Giorgi Gabunia. Gabunia hired bodyguards last year after he was threatened by Kadyrov. Death squads from the Russian Caucasus have repeatedly targeted critics in Europe.

After an Azerbaijani journalist was spirited away from Georgia, rights groups say the country must back up its previous statements on enforced disappearances.