Deadline Passes for Georgia's Foreign Agents Law Registration Amid Controversy and Protests
By Liza Mchedlidze
Wednesday, September 4, 2024
The deadline for organizations in Georgia to register as "pursuing the interests of a foreign power" under the Foreign Agents Law expired on September 2. According to Tamar Tkeshelashvili, First Deputy Minister of Justice, 476 organizations applied for registration during the one-month voluntary window. Starting September 3rd, the Ministry of Justice has the authority to forcibly register other civil society organizations (CSOs), impose fines, and conduct monitoring activities.
The number of organizations that registered voluntarily represents only approximately 1.5% of all registered CSOs in Georgia, with estimates suggesting there are over 30,000 such organizations nationwide. Official statistics from Geostat list 3,758 organizations as "active", a figure that includes public agencies.
In an effort to encourage registration, the government kept the Public Service Hall open on Sunday to accommodate last-minute applicants. Despite these measures, many organizations chose not to register, and some representatives held protests outside the Public Service Hall.
Following the reintroduction of the Foreign Agents Law in April, numerous CSOs have voiced strong opposition, labeling it a "Russian-style law" and refusing to comply. The law's reinstatement sparked months of continuous protests across the country.
From August 29 to 31, the Constitutional Court conducted hearings on five separate appeals challenging the law, including one filed by Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili. The Court has yet to announce its decisions regarding the admissibility of these constitutional claims or whether to temporarily suspend the law's provisions pending a final ruling, as requested by the plaintiffs.
Several smaller organizations reliant on foreign donations have announced plans to cease operations due to the new law's requirements.
The Shame Movement, one of Georgia's most prominent civil organizations, initially announced on August 30 that it would register under the Foreign Agents Law after internal deliberations. The group explained that registering would allow them to continue their activities, particularly efforts to increase voter turnout in the October elections, without the risk of debilitating fines.
The decision drew significant criticism from society, which accused the Shame Movement of undermining collective resistance against the law and fostering public disillusionment. Facing mounting pressure, the Shame Movement reversed its decision on August 31, announcing that it would not register and acknowledging that their initial choice had been poorly timed and communicated. The organization also announced a change in leadership, with director Giorgi Mzhavanadze stepping down.
"Our decision was based on the goal of conducting planned campaigns to increase voter turnout and facilitate a change of government in the October elections," the organization stated. "However, based on the feedback, we believe that we have contributed to sowing nihilism and disillusionment among our associates, which is detrimental to our overall goals."
In response to the reversal, Mdinaradze commented, "Unfortunately, fascist bullying defeated the Shame Movement. We couldn't save them; they won't register."
As the Foreign Agents Law comes into full effect, the landscape for civil society organizations in Georgia remains uncertain. With legal challenges pending and widespread opposition continuing, the law's long-term impact on the country's civic and political environment will be closely monitored both domestically and internationally.
