The News in Brief
Tuesday, July 30, 2024
Prepared by Messenger Staff
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze Defends 'Foreign Agents' law
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze defended the "Transparency of Foreign Influence" law during a recent appearance on Imedi TV, asserting that its primary practical benefit is the establishment of a centralized website. This site will allow Georgian citizens to access detailed information about the sources and uses of funding for various organizations.
"The only practical result of the 'Transparency' law is that a single website is created for the citizens of Georgia, where you enter, select an organization, and open information about where and for what this organization is financed. What could be wrong with that? Zero, nothing," Kobakhidze stated.
Kobakhidze emphasised two potential outcomes of the law's implementation. In the first scenario, where organisations comply and submit their financial declarations, the website will serve as a valuable tool for transparency. This would provide Georgian citizens with accessible and clear information about the financial activities of these organizations without any significant negative consequences.
In the second scenario, if a substantial number of organizations fail to submit their required declarations, the law provides for penalties. According to Kobakhidze, organizations that do not comply will face fines.
"Let's imagine that these organizations do not submit these financial statements. In this case, the only thing that happens is that these organizations will be fined, and the fines are quite mild - 25,000 GEL for gross violations of the law," Kobakhidze explained.
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze Meets with Public Defender Levan Ioseliani to Discuss Human Rights in Georgia
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze met with the Public Defender of Georgia Levan Ioseliani, to discuss the current human rights situation and related issues in the country. The meeting, according to the Prime Minister's press service, focused on evaluating ongoing human rights protection efforts and addressing current challenges.
During the discussion, Public Defender Levan Ioseliani highlighted the main activities and challenges faced by his office. He provided insights into the state of human rights in Georgia and the steps being taken to address various issues.
Kobakhidze underscored the importance of the Public Defender's role and emphasized the government's commitment to considering the Ombudsman's recommendations. He noted that these recommendations are crucial for further improving the standard of human rights protection in Georgia.
"The government pays great attention to the Ombudsman's recommendations, which serve to further improve the standard of human rights protection," stated Prime Minister Kobakhidze.
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze Defends 'Foreign Agents' law
"The only practical result of the 'Transparency' law is that a single website is created for the citizens of Georgia, where you enter, select an organization, and open information about where and for what this organization is financed. What could be wrong with that? Zero, nothing," Kobakhidze stated.
Kobakhidze emphasised two potential outcomes of the law's implementation. In the first scenario, where organisations comply and submit their financial declarations, the website will serve as a valuable tool for transparency. This would provide Georgian citizens with accessible and clear information about the financial activities of these organizations without any significant negative consequences.
In the second scenario, if a substantial number of organizations fail to submit their required declarations, the law provides for penalties. According to Kobakhidze, organizations that do not comply will face fines.
"Let's imagine that these organizations do not submit these financial statements. In this case, the only thing that happens is that these organizations will be fined, and the fines are quite mild - 25,000 GEL for gross violations of the law," Kobakhidze explained.
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze Meets with Public Defender Levan Ioseliani to Discuss Human Rights in Georgia
During the discussion, Public Defender Levan Ioseliani highlighted the main activities and challenges faced by his office. He provided insights into the state of human rights in Georgia and the steps being taken to address various issues.
Kobakhidze underscored the importance of the Public Defender's role and emphasized the government's commitment to considering the Ombudsman's recommendations. He noted that these recommendations are crucial for further improving the standard of human rights protection in Georgia.
"The government pays great attention to the Ombudsman's recommendations, which serve to further improve the standard of human rights protection," stated Prime Minister Kobakhidze.