Day: April 29, 2024

On April 29, 20 civil society organizations issued a joint statement, slamming Legal Issues Committee Chair Anri Okhanashvili for “abusing power and restricting the ability of lawmakers, guaranteed by the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament of Georgia, to oppose, ask tough questions and receive answers.”

At the ongoing second committee hearing of the Foreign Agents Bill, Chair Okhanashvili expelled over ten opposition MPs. “The opportunity to ask questions is also restricted for representatives of civil organizations,” the statement says.

According to civil society organizations, depriving the opposition of the opportunity to speak and expelling them goes against “the fundamental principles of representative democracy.” The statement says the Chair’s actions are not in line with the Rules of Procedure of the legislative.

The CSOs added that “at the same time, Okhanashvili brazenly interferes with the right of the MPs to determine the content of the question themselves and does not allow sufficient time for posing it, thus stifling the critical opinion and artificially creating an environment for one-party discussion of “Russian law.”

Given the high level of public interest, the CSOs call on Chairman Okhanashvili to ensure “to the maximum extent possible” that participants in the hearing can ask questions and express themselves.

Also Read:

• 29/04/2024 – Legal Issues Committee Holds Contentious Second Hearing on Foreign Agents Law

In a statement released on April 28, the Business Association of Georgia (BAG) expressed concern that “political processes unfolding in the country” may threaten “a stable and predictable business environment.” With this statement, BAG, which unites and represents many of Georgia’s larger businesses, expressed support for the government as public resistance to the “foreign agents law” is bringing thousands of Georgians to the streets.

The Association says it is worried about the law on “transparency of foreign influence,” but only inasmuch as its potential negative impact on the country’s economy and growth is concerned. “The business community is concerned because it is always the first to feel and bear the negative impact of political instability,” the statement reads. The BAG distances itself from the content of the ongoing debate, saying, “It is natural and understandable that we, like other major business associations, will not and cannot enter into the substantive discussion of the above-mentioned draft law,” BAG said.

BAG appreciates “the effective communication that the business community has with the government.” While reiterating its commitment to transparency and alignment with European aspirations, it states, “We should move towards these goals without undermining the foundations of the country’s economic development.”

Georgia foreign agents bill draws protesters on to the streets  BBC

Azerbaijan defuses 159 more landmines in its liberated territories  News.Az

Сегодня, 29 апреля, заместитель главы МИД Грузии Александр Хвтисиашвили встретился с послом Китая в Грузии Чжоу Цзянь. В рамках встречи посол Китая передал грузинской стороне ноту, согласно которой, со стороны Китая завершены процедуры о вступлении в силу «Соглашения между правительствами Грузии и Китайской Народной Республики о взаимном освобождении от визовых требований владельцев ординарных /обычных/ паспортов», […]

Georgia at Political Crossroads as ‘Foreign Agent’ Bill Draws Protests  U.S. News & World Report

Georgian diplomats oppose Georgia’s anti-Western turn en masse  Ukrainska Pravda