We, the undersigned civil society organizations, express our full solidarity with Georgian non-governmental organizations accused by the Anti-Corruption Bureau of violating the so-called “foreign agents registration” law, – this is stated in a joint declaration released by 34 representatives of civil society.
According to the representatives of civil society, the attack on independent NGOs and the media constitutes an assault on the very foundations of the country’s democracy.
“First of all, we express our respect for the principled position not to accept the false and insulting label of ‘carrier of foreign interests.’ You are independent Georgian organizations that operate in accordance with your own statutes and serve only the Georgian people. Your mission – protecting the rights of women, children, workers, persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons, and all oppressed people – is vital for the existence of a democratic society.
The attack on independent NGOs and the media is not only an attack on your organizations, but on the very foundations of the country’s democracy. We share your position that, according to international standards and the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), your organizations are not subject to registration in such a registry. We value your courage and resilience with which you continue your work under conditions of unfair attacks and threats of criminal liability. Your work is essential to defend Georgia’s free, democratic, and European future.
You are not alone. The Georgian people and the international community stand with you. We condemn the unconstitutional attacks against you and share the belief that your struggle serves every citizen of Georgia who believes in Georgia’s free, just, and democratic future,” – the joint statement of civil society representatives reads.
The organizations that signed the statement are: Europe Foundation; Civic Movement for Freedom; EuroClub Kvareli; Center for Civic Activity Lakmus; Georgia’s European Orbit; Economic Policy Research Center (EPRC); Civil Solidarity Fund; Georgian Prevention for Progress; Prevention for Progress; Democracy Research Institute (DRI); European-Georgian Institute (EGI); Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association; Green Alternative; Rights Georgia; Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI); Georgian Democracy Initiative (GDI); Tbilisi Pride; Tolerance and Diversity Institute (TDI); Georgia’s Future Academy; Mediaombudsman; Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics; Batumelebi.ge; netgazeti.ge; Proactive Group Georgia; Media Club; Studio Re; Human Rights Center (HRC); Georgian Law Firms Association; EECMD – Eastern European Centre for Multiparty Democracy; International Center on Conflict and Negotiation; Center for Psychosocial and Medical Rehabilitation of Torture Victims; Civic Idea; Women’s Initiative Supporting Group.
For reference, six non-governmental organizations announced that on August 11 they received another letter from the Anti-Corruption Bureau accusing them of violating the “foreign agents registration” law and requesting explanations as to why they have not registered in the “registry of carriers of foreign interests.” They explained that, according to their repeatedly declared public position, they do not intend to live under Russian laws, and therefore will not register as carriers of foreign interests.
34 representatives of civil society: we express solidarity with the organizations accused of violating the “foreign agents registration” law – do not accept the false label of “carrier of foreign interests”
