Armenia: GRECO calls for stronger oversight and accountability in police and top executive functions Council of Europe
Day: April 18, 2024
AP: Ukraine and Israel both desperately need the military weapons that are being held up by Congress’ failure to pass a funding package for the two countries at war, Pentagon leaders told House appropriators Wednesday, calling the situation in Ukraine dire.
“Whether it’s munitions, whether it’s vehicles, whether it’s…
On April 19 leading MEPs issued a statement saying that the draft law on “Transparency of Foreign Influence” re-tabled by the GD “runs against Georgia’s ambitions for EU membership and jeopardizes the country’s Euro-Atlantic integration.” The statement further says that the law, which passed its first reading on April 17, “is an attack on independent media and civil society organizations” and is incompatible with EU values and democratic principles.”
The statement, signed by Chair of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee David McAllister, Chair of the European Parliament’s delegation for relations with South Caucasus Marina Kaljurand and the European Parliament’s standing rapporteur for Georgia Sven Mikser expresses “deep concern” by the re-introduction of the draft law and calls on the Georgian Government and Parliament “not to disappoint the aspirations of the majority of Georgian people and to engage with the national and international partners on ensuring an enabling working environment for civil society organizations.”
The authors also write that they are “worried about the reports of riot police using force to disperse protesters demonstrating against the controversial draft law” and stress that the right to peaceful protest is a fundamental right and must be strictly respected, especially in a country aspiring to EU membership.
The statement calls on the Georgian leadership to ensure the protection of freedoms of expression and assembly and to avoid any escalation of violence.
Reiterating unwavering support to Georgian people’s “legitimate European aspirations” the statement reminds that steps identified by the European Commission, “still need to be implemented.”
Also Read:
- 17/04/2024 – Borrell, Várhelyi: Adoption of “Foreign Agents Law” Would Negatively Impact Georgia’s EU Path
- 17/04/2024- International Reactions to Reintroduction of Draft Law on Foreign Agents
- 16/04/2024 – Charles Michel: Foreign Agents Law “Not Consistent with Georgia’s EU Aspiration”
- 12/04/2024 – International Reactions to Reintroduction of Draft Law on Foreign Agents
On April 19 leading MEPs issued a statement saying that the draft law on “Transparency of Foreign Influence” re-tabled by the GD “runs against Georgia’s ambitions for EU membership and jeopardizes the country’s Euro-Atlantic integration.” The statement further says that the law, which passed its first reading on April 17, “is an attack on independent media and civil society organizations” and is incompatible with EU values and democratic principles.”
The statement, signed by Chair of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee David McAllister, Chair of the European Parliament’s delegation for relations with South Caucasus Marina Kaljurand and the European Parliament’s standing rapporteur for Georgia Sven Mikser expresses “deep concern” by the re-introduction of the draft law and calls on the Georgian Government and Parliament “not to disappoint the aspirations of the majority of Georgian people and to engage with the national and international partners on ensuring an enabling working environment for civil society organizations.”
The authors also write that they are “worried about the reports of riot police using force to disperse protesters demonstrating against the controversial draft law” and stress that the right to peaceful protest is a fundamental right and must be strictly respected, especially in a country aspiring to EU membership.
The statement calls on the Georgian leadership to ensure the protection of freedoms of expression and assembly and to avoid any escalation of violence.
Reiterating unwavering support to Georgian people’s “legitimate European aspirations” the statement reminds that steps identified by the European Commission, “still need to be implemented.”
Also Read:
- 17/04/2024 – Borrell, Várhelyi: Adoption of “Foreign Agents Law” Would Negatively Impact Georgia’s EU Path
- 17/04/2024- International Reactions to Reintroduction of Draft Law on Foreign Agents
- 16/04/2024 – Charles Michel: Foreign Agents Law “Not Consistent with Georgia’s EU Aspiration”
- 12/04/2024 – International Reactions to Reintroduction of Draft Law on Foreign Agents
After the foreign agent law passed its first hearing in parliament and the largest protests seen so far against the revived bill, no protests are expected to take place in Tbilisi on Thursday. A number of protesters remain in detention, with an opposition MP also claiming that he was beaten while being detained on Wednesday night.
Read more:
- Georgian foreign agent bill passes first reading in parliament amidst massive protests
- Georgian police attack protesters after vote on first foreign agent bill hearing delayed
- Explainer | Why is Georgian Dream reviving the foreign agent law?
- Podcast | The ‘Russian Law’ returns to Georgia
This article will be updated throughout the day.
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