On August 1, 2024, Georgia implemented a new registry system for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and media outlets funded from abroad, established under the contentious “foreign agent” law.
According to NewsGeorgia, the law mandates that any NGO or media outlet receiving over 20% of its funding from foreign sources must register as an “organization promoting the interests of a foreign power.”
These entities are required to submit income declarations for 2023 to the Ministry of Justice by January 1, 2025. Following this, they must publicly disclose the sources and purposes of their funding for 2024. Failure to submit the declaration incurs a fine of 25,000 lari ($9,200), with additional monthly penalties of 20,000 lari ($7,300) for ongoing delays.
The law, officially named the “Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence,” was passed by the Georgian Parliament on May 14, 2024. President Salome Zurabishvili vetoed it on May 18, but the Parliament overrode the veto on May 28. The law has been dubbed the “Russian law” by locals due to its similarities with similar legislation in Russia.
The European Union and the United States have criticized the law, alleging it aims to silence critical voices and may negatively impact upcoming parliamentary elections in Georgia.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has assured that NGOs and media outlets will not be shut down before the elections despite the new law. However, ruling party leader Kaha Kaladze has warned that non-compliant organizations could face asset seizures, potentially hindering their operations.
