Georgia parliament cancels session after building damaged during huge protests
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Georgia parliament cancels session after building damaged during huge protests

Associated Press  

TBILISI, Georgia — The parliament of Georgia cancelled its Thursday plenary session following massive protests against a proposed law that critics fear will stifle media freedom and endanger the country’s bid for membership in the European Union. The parliament’s announcement said the cancellation was connected to damage the building suffered during Wednesday protests in which police used water cannon, tear gas and pepper spray against the tens of thousands of demonstrators. Protesters denounce the bill as “the Russian law” because neighboring Russia uses similar legislation to stigmatize independent news media and organizations critical of the Kremlin. The EU’s foreign policy arm earlier this month also criticized Georgian Dream’s decision to reintroduce the law, which it said “raises serious concerns” around media freedom in the country — something it called “crucial for the EU accession process.”

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History of this topic

Georgia’s president refuses to sign an anti-LGBTQ bill and returns it to parliament
2 months, 3 weeks ago

Georgia’s president refuses to sign an anti-LGBTQ bill and returns it to parliament

Associated Press  

TBILISI, Georgia — Georgia’s president refused to sign into law a bill that severely curtails LGBTQ+ rights in the country and mirrors legislation adopted in neighboring Russia, her office said Wednesday. The anti-LGBTQ+ bill has drawn comparisons with Russia, where the Kremlin has been highlighting “traditional family values.” The Russian authorities in the last decade banned public endorsement of “nontraditional …

Georgia’s president refuses to sign anti-LGBTQ bill
2 months, 3 weeks ago

Georgia’s president refuses to sign anti-LGBTQ bill

Al Jazeera  

Georgia’s president has earned scorn from the country’s prime minister after refusing to sign a controversial “anti-LGBTQ bill” into law. President Salome Zourabichvili refused on Wednesday to sign off on the legislation, approved by parliament last month, which would ban gender transition, adoption by gay and transgender people, and nullify same-sex marriages performed abroad. “President Zourabichvili refused to sign the …

Georgian parliament approves anti-LGBTQ legislation, echoing measures in Russia
3 months, 1 week ago

Georgian parliament approves anti-LGBTQ legislation, echoing measures in Russia

Associated Press  

TBILISI, Georgia — Georgia’s parliament on Tuesday approved sweeping legislation that curtails LGBTQ+ rights, a measure that echoes laws adopted in neighboring Russia. The bill, introduced by the ruling party Georgian Dream earlier this year, includes bans on same-sex marriages, adoptions by same-sex couples and public endorsement and depictions of LGBTQ+ relations and people in the media. This year, tens …

US suspends $95 million in aid to Georgia after passage of foreign agent law that sparked protests
4 months, 3 weeks ago

US suspends $95 million in aid to Georgia after passage of foreign agent law that sparked protests

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration on Wednesday suspended $95 million in U.S. assistance to Georgia after its parliament adopted legislation related to foreign agents that critics say was inspired by a Russian law used to crack down on political dissent and that sparked weeks of mass protests. The U.S. has also already imposed visa bans on a number of Georgian …

US imposes travel bans on Georgian officials over new law that critics say will curb media freedom
6 months, 2 weeks ago

US imposes travel bans on Georgian officials over new law that critics say will curb media freedom

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The United States imposed sanctions Thursday on dozens of Georgian officials in response to the enactment of a law that drew weeks of protests by critics who say it will curb media freedom and jeopardize the country’s chances of joining the European Union. The move to impose travel bans on the officials, members of the ruling Georgian Dream …

Parliament speaker in Georgia signs into law a bill that critics say curbs media freedom
6 months, 3 weeks ago

Parliament speaker in Georgia signs into law a bill that critics say curbs media freedom

Associated Press  

TBILISI, Georgia — The speaker of Georgia’s parliament said he signed into law Monday a measure that has drawn weeks of protests by critics who say it will curb media freedom and jeopardize the country’s chances of joining the European Union. Zourabichvili, who is increasingly at odds with the governing party, had opposed the bill, accusing the party of jeopardizing …

Georgian group says it will take controversial foreign influence law to the constitutional court
6 months, 3 weeks ago

Georgian group says it will take controversial foreign influence law to the constitutional court

Associated Press  

TBILISI, Georgia — A non-governmental organization in Georgia said Thursday it is preparing a lawsuit in the country’s constitutional court to challenge a law that critics say will stifle news media and independent organizations. Massive demonstrations have filled the streets of the Georgian capital Tbilisi for weeks to protest the measure, whose foes call it “the Russian law” because of …

Georgia parliament overrides president’s veto of controversial ‘foreign agents’ law
6 months, 3 weeks ago

Georgia parliament overrides president’s veto of controversial ‘foreign agents’ law

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Georgian parliament has overridden …

Georgian lawmakers debate overriding presidential veto of divisive foreign influence bill
6 months, 3 weeks ago

Georgian lawmakers debate overriding presidential veto of divisive foreign influence bill

Hindustan Times  

TBILISI, Georgia — Georgian lawmakers on Tuesday debated a motion to override a presidential veto of the “foreign agents” legislation that has fueled Western concerns and sparked massive protests for weeks. Georgian lawmakers debate overriding presidential veto of divisive foreign influence bill The legislature controlled by the ruling Georgian Dream party considered dismissing President Salome Zourabichvili’s veto of the bill …

Georgian parliament overrides presidential veto of ‘foreign agent bill’
6 months, 3 weeks ago

Georgian parliament overrides presidential veto of ‘foreign agent bill’

Al Jazeera  

Critics say the bill will restrict media freedom and obstruct Georgia’s chances of joining the European Union. Georgia’s parliament has overridden a presidential veto of the “foreign agents” legislation that has fuelled Western concerns and set off weeks of street protests. The legislature, controlled by the governing Georgian Dream party, dismissed on Tuesday President Salome Zourabichvili’s veto of the legislation …

Georgia’s president vetoes media legislation that has provoked weeks of protests
7 months ago

Georgia’s president vetoes media legislation that has provoked weeks of protests

Associated Press  

TBILISI, Georgia — Georgia’s president on Saturday vetoed the so-called “Russian law” targeting media that has sparked weeks of mass protests. President Salome Zourabichvili, who is increasingly at odds with Georgia’s ruling party, said on Saturday that the legislation contradicts Georgia’s Constitution and “all European standards,” and added that it “must be abolished.” The ruling party, Georgian Dream, has a …

Georgia’s president vetoes controversial ‘foreign agents’ bill
7 months, 1 week ago

Georgia’s president vetoes controversial ‘foreign agents’ bill

Al Jazeera  

President Salome Zourabichvili says the law is ‘Russian in its essence’, but parliament is expected to overturn veto. Georgia’s President Salome Zourabichvili has vetoed the “foreign influence” bill that has sparked unprecedented protests in the country and warnings from Brussels that the measure would undermine Tbilisi’s European Union aspirations. The draft law requires non-governmental organisations and media outlets with more …

Georgia’s leader says a divisive media bill passed by lawmakers is unacceptable and she’ll veto it
7 months, 1 week ago

Georgia’s leader says a divisive media bill passed by lawmakers is unacceptable and she’ll veto it

Associated Press  

TBILISI, Georgia — A controversial media bill passed this week by Georgia’s parliament is “unacceptable” and will be vetoed, President Salome Zourabichvili said Thursday, reaffirming her opposition to a measure that critics describe as a threat to free speech. In an interview with The Associated Press, Zourabichvili harshly criticized the ruling Georgian Dream party for pushing the bill that also …

What is the newly passed ‘Russia law’ that has divided people in Georgia for months?
7 months, 1 week ago

What is the newly passed ‘Russia law’ that has divided people in Georgia for months?

Associated Press  

Georgia’s parliament has passed a law that critics see as a threat to media freedom and the country’s aspirations to join the European Union. Riot police block a street to prevent demonstrators during an opposition protest against “the Russian law” near the Parliament building in the center of Tbilisi, Georgia, Tuesday, May 14, 2024. The governing party says the law …

Violence breaks out outside AND inside parliament as Georgia APPROVES 'Russian law' bill that has plunged the country into crisis and pushed it closer to Putin
7 months, 1 week ago

Violence breaks out outside AND inside parliament as Georgia APPROVES 'Russian law' bill that has plunged the country into crisis and pushed it closer to Putin

Daily Mail  

Violence broke out both outside and inside parliament today as Georgia approved a divisive 'Russian law' that has plunged the country into crisis and sparked weeks of mass protests. Georgian law enforcement officers detain a demonstrator protesting the controversial 'foreign agent' bill, near the parliament in Tbilisi on May 14, 2024 Georgian demonstrators attempt to break into the parliament through …

Protesters throng streets of Georgia's capital after parliament passes so-called 'Russian law'
7 months, 1 week ago

Protesters throng streets of Georgia's capital after parliament passes so-called 'Russian law'

Associated Press  

TBILISI, Georgia — Huge throngs of protesters blocked streets in the capital of Georgia and milled angrily outside the parliament building after lawmakers on Tuesday approved a “foreign influence” bill that critics call a Russian-style threat to free speech and the country’s aspirations to join the European Union. European Council President Charles Michel said Tuesday that if Georgians “want to …

Why did bill to stem ‘foreign influence’ trigger protests in Georgia over country’s media freedom?
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Why did bill to stem ‘foreign influence’ trigger protests in Georgia over country’s media freedom?

Associated Press  

TBILISI, Georgia — Georgia has been engulfed by huge protests triggered by a proposed law that critics see as a threat to media freedom and the country’s aspirations to join the European Union. The opposition United National Movement accuses Georgian Dream, which was founded by Bidzina Ivanishvili, a billionaire who made his fortune in Russia, of serving Moscow’s interests — …

EU and US urge Georgia to halt ‘foreign agents’ bill and not turn away from West after mass protests
7 months, 3 weeks ago

EU and US urge Georgia to halt ‘foreign agents’ bill and not turn away from West after mass protests

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The European Union said the bill – which would …

UN, EU, US urge Georgia to halt ‘foreign agents’ bill as protests grow
7 months, 3 weeks ago

UN, EU, US urge Georgia to halt ‘foreign agents’ bill as protests grow

Al Jazeera  

Thousands gather in Tbilisi to protest against the bill, which passed its second reading in parliament this week. The European Union, United Nations, and the United States have condemned legislation making its way through Georgia’s parliament on “foreign agents”, as thousands of protesters snarled traffic in the country’s capital Tbilisi on Thursday with a large new protest against the bill. …

Thousands rally in Georgia as Parliament advances ‘foreign influence’ bill
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Thousands rally in Georgia as Parliament advances ‘foreign influence’ bill

Al Jazeera  

Georgia’s Parliament moved a step closer to passing a bill that critics fear will stifle media freedom and endanger the country’s European Union membership bid, as police used water cannon, tear gas and pepper spray against tens of thousands of people who took to the streets in protest. On Wednesday, Parliament approved the second reading of the “foreign influence” bill …

Georgian lawmakers move closer to passing ‘Russian law’ targeting the media. Protesters gather again
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Georgian lawmakers move closer to passing ‘Russian law’ targeting the media. Protesters gather again

Associated Press  

TBILISI, Georgia — Georgia’s Parliament moved a step closer Wednesday to passing a law that critics fear will stifle media freedom and endanger the country’s European Union membership bid, as police used water cannons, tear gas and pepper spray against the tens of thousands of protesters who thronged surrounding streets. Opposition lawmaker Helene Khoshtaria accused the ruling party of trying …

Police in Georgia use tear gas, water cannons to disperse protest against so-called ‘Russian law’
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Police in Georgia use tear gas, water cannons to disperse protest against so-called ‘Russian law’

Associated Press  

TBILISI, Georgia — Police in Georgia’s capital used tear gas and water cannons Tuesday to disperse protesters who rallied outside the country’s parliament to protest a bill that would require media and non-commercial organizations to register as being under foreign influence if they get over 20% of their funding from abroad. They denounced it as “the Russian law” because Moscow …

Georgia advances ‘foreign agents’ bill as 20,000 rally against it
8 months, 1 week ago

Georgia advances ‘foreign agents’ bill as 20,000 rally against it

Al Jazeera  

The ruling party suddenly reintroduced the bill earlier this month, after mass protests forced its withdrawal last year. Critics say the bill mirrors a repressive Russian law on “foreign agents” that has been used against independent news media and groups seen as being at odds with the Kremlin and will undermine Tbilisi’s aspirations for closer European Union ties and, ultimately, …

Thousands protest in Georgia over contentious ‘foreign agents’ bill
8 months, 1 week ago

Thousands protest in Georgia over contentious ‘foreign agents’ bill

Al Jazeera  

Thousands of Georgians took to the streets in protest and politicians came to blows in parliament as governing party legislators gave the initial go-ahead for debate on a bill on “foreign agents” that has been criticised by Western and domestic critics as Russian inspired. More than 5,000 demonstrators gathered outside Georgia’s Soviet-built parliament building on Monday in the capital, Tbilisi, …

Georgia lawmakers scuffle over a divisive bill that opponents say mimics Kremlin’s repressive law
8 months, 1 week ago

Georgia lawmakers scuffle over a divisive bill that opponents say mimics Kremlin’s repressive law

Associated Press  

TBILISI, Georgia — Lawmakers in Georgia’s legislature scuffled on Monday as the parliament debated a divisive new law dubbed the foreign agent bill. Opponents of the measure denounce it as “the Russian law” because of similar legislation used by Moscow to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. Those who oppose the measure …

Victory for Georgia protesters as government halts plan to bring in Putin-like authoritarian laws
1 year, 9 months ago

Victory for Georgia protesters as government halts plan to bring in Putin-like authoritarian laws

Daily Mail  

The ruling Georgian Dream party said it would 'unconditionally withdraw the bill' Protesters said the proposed bill was inspired by an authoritarian Russian law Georgia's ruling party said on Thursday it was dropping a controversial 'foreign agent' bill after two nights of furious protests against the law seen as reminiscent of Russian legislation used to silence critics. A man waves …

Georgia House passes GOP bill rolling back voting access
3 years, 9 months ago

Georgia House passes GOP bill rolling back voting access

LA Times  

Demonstrators form a chain as they protest House Bill 531 outside the Georgia State Capitol Building in Atlanta on Monday, which is Day 25 of the legislative session. Republican lawmakers in Georgia muscled legislation through the state House on Monday that would roll back voting access, over the objection of Democrats and civil rights groups gathered at the Capitol to …

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