New bill on foreign agents clears first hurdle in Georgia’s parliament

The Georgian Parliament has approved a new version of the bill on foreign agents in the first reading. 

The bill, introduced by the ruling Georgian Dream party, was supported by 84 MPs, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media. 

Mamuka Mdinaradze, leader of the parliamentary majority, explained that the proposed legislation is a direct replica of the US Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), noting that a "simplified version" of the law had already been adopted by Georgian authorities in the previous year. 

The new bill defines the term "foreign agent" and sets out the procedures for registering such agents, as well as the requirements for submitting financial declarations. It also establishes provisions for other related matters. Individuals or entities failing to meet these requirements would face criminal penalties.

The scope of the law extends foreign agent status not only to non-profit organisations receiving foreign funding but also to individuals and all other entities that fit the criteria.

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 2024. 

The aim is to tackle foreign funding of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that are believed to support revolutionary movements within the country. As opposed to 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 organisations has frequently been used to finance destabilising 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 Naila Huseynova