Widespread protests in Georgia against bill aimed at controlling NGOs and media. Protesters and police clashed in the capital, Tbilisi. Police arrested 66 people. Authorities informed that 50 policemen were injured.
According to the draft bill presented in the Georgian Parliament yesterday, NGOs and media organizations that receive more than 20 percent of their income from abroad must declare themselves as foreign agents, otherwise they will be fined heavily or sentenced to imprisonment. Nationwide agitation is going on against this. In the capital, Tbilisi, thousands of people, including women, protested against the government. A huge protest was staged in front of the Parliament. The police used water cannons and pepper spray to confront the protesters. Many people were injured.
The opposition says the bill is a sign of the country’s move towards independence and will kill Georgia’s chances of joining the European Union. But the draft bill was supported by 76 members from the ruling party in Parliament. The EU foreign affairs chief said the bill is not in line with the values and principles of the European Union. This also casts doubt on the acceptance of Georgia’s application to join the European Union. The US Embassy responded that it was a dark day for Georgian democracy.
Georgia protests against bill which limits Press freedom
