The UN Human Rights Commissioner has called on the Georgian government to withdraw a controversial bill that sparked mass protests in the country. Tens of thousands of people in Georgia took to the streets on Thursday to demonstrate against the disputed bill, despite police using force to suppress the protests. The crowds in the capital, Tbilisi, chanted “No to Russia,” as they voiced their opposition to the bill, which has been compared to a similar law in Russia that silences dissenters.
Foreign minister Elina Valtonen expressed concern over the clashes at the protests, stating that violence against peaceful demonstrators is not acceptable. Valtonen emphasized that Georgians have the right to protest against the bill on foreign influence. The UN Human Rights Commissioner, Volker Turk, also urged Georgia to withdraw the controversial bill and expressed concern over the police violence against protesters.
The disputed law requires media and non-governmental organizations that receive more than one-fifth of their funding from outside Georgia to register as promoters of foreign interests. Critics argue that the law is essentially copied from Russia’s law on foreign agents. Despite the protests, the bill passed its second reading in Parliament, leading to further demonstrations in Tbilisi.
The European Union has also weighed in on the situation in Georgia, with President Ursula von der Leyen stating that the country is at a crossroads and should continue on a path leading towards Europe. Valtonen emphasized that Georgia has been recognized as a candidate for EU membership and should continue to pursue this path with the support of its people. The situation in Georgia remains tense as protests against the controversial bill continue.