Georgian lawmakers approve first reading of controversial foreign agents bill

The Georgian Parliament has adopted a new draft law on foreign agents, modeled closely after the US Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).

The legal committee of the Georgian Parliament considered and approved the bill in its first reading, with the meeting being broadcast live on the parliamentary website, Caliber.Az reports citing Russian media.

Archil Gorduladze, chair of the Parliament’s Legal Issues Committee, emphasized the importance of having legal measures akin to those in the United States to protect national sovereignty.

“It is important that we have the kind of legal leverage that we have in the United States of America. If the American people have the right to safeguard their sovereignty through effective mechanisms, then the Georgian people have the same right to guarantee our sovereignty,” Gorduladze stated during the meeting.

The draft law, in essence, calls for a direct translation of the US FARA into Georgian law. This initiative, led by the Georgian Dream political party, aims to establish a formal process for the registration of foreign agents operating within the country, similar to the regulations currently in place in the United States.

The move has raised significant attention, as it would grant the Georgian government more authority to monitor and regulate foreign influence in the country, particularly through organizations and individuals receiving foreign funding for political or advocacy purposes. The legislation is part of broader discussions about national security and sovereignty in Georgia's political landscape.

The draft law still requires additional readings and discussions before it can be fully adopted, but its first reading marks a significant step in shaping Georgia’s approach to foreign influence and sovereignty.

In early February, the ruling Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia party announced its intention to adopt a law that mirrors the US Foreign Agents Registration Act. According to party leaders, this new legislation will be more effective than the “On Transparency of Foreign Influence” law, which was passed in May of last year. The aim is to tackle foreign funding of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that are believed to support revolutionary movements within the country.

Unlike the US version, the Georgian law will not apply to individuals, and penalties will primarily involve fines for failing to submit an annual income declaration. In contrast, the US law also allows for imprisonment of up to five years for non-compliance.

An explanatory note attached to the bill highlights the challenge that many foreign-funded NGOs face in registering with the government. The note argues that a new law is necessary to ensure that the will of the legislature is properly executed. Additionally, it points to concerns raised by the new US administration, which has acknowledged that foreign funding of organizations has frequently been used to finance destabilizing activities in various countries, including Georgia.

The adoption of a law modeled on the American version, according to Georgian authorities, is essential to curbing the influence of foreign forces on state institutions. The Anti-Corruption Bureau of Georgia will be tasked with overseeing the implementation of the new law once it is passed.

By Vafa Guliyeva