Georgia’s parliament rejected the bill on “foreign agents” in the second reading.
In a dramatic turn of events, Georgian lawmakers voted to drop the controversial bill just days after its first reading in parliament. It sparked violent and large-scale protests amid concerns that legislation copying a similar law in Russia would severely curtail dissent and civil society in the Caucasian state and push it toward authoritarianism.
MPs voted against the legislation on second reading after the ruling Georgian Dream party withdrew its support for the proposed law.
Georgia’s parliament rejected the bill on “foreign agents” in the second reading.
In a dramatic turn of events, Georgian lawmakers voted to drop the controversial bill just days after its first reading in parliament. It sparked violent and large-scale protests amid concerns that legislation copying a similar law in Russia would severely curtail dissent and civil society in the Caucasian state and push it toward authoritarianism.
MPs voted against the legislation on second reading after the ruling Georgian Dream party withdrew its support for the proposed law.
Police used tear gas, stun grenades and water cannon to disperse protesters outside the parliament in Tbilisi. Dozens of demonstrators were arrested.
The bill required any NGO with more than 20% foreign funding to register with the Ministry of Justice as a foreign agent.
Source: svobodnaevropa