**Georgia’s Civil Society Under Attack: EU Must Act, Says Lithuanian MEP**
The government of Georgia, led by Ivanishvili’s regime, has launched a full-scale attack on the country’s civil society, according to Lithuanian MEP Rasa Juknevičienė. This aggressive move is aimed at silencing non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and undermining their ability to function effectively.
According to reports from Georgian NGOs, the Anti-Corruption Bureau has begun enforcing “Russian laws” through a court in Murusidze. This means that the agency is demanding personal information of citizens who are under the protection of these organizations without any legal grounds. The NGOs have taken this as an affront and are fighting back by taking legal action against these orders.
MEP Juknevičienė has condemned this move, calling it “a Kremlin-style tactic” aimed at suppressing civil society in Georgia. She believes that the EU must respond swiftly and decisively with tough sanctions to prevent further erosion of democratic freedoms in the country. This is not an isolated incident but rather a deliberate attempt by the Georgian government to strangle civil society and silence its critics.
**The Situation: A Threat to Democracy**
Georgia’s NGOs have long been at the forefront of promoting transparency, accountability, and human rights in the country. Their work has been crucial in exposing corruption and holding those in power accountable for their actions. However, with this latest move by the Anti-Corruption Bureau, it seems that the government is trying to undermine these efforts and create a climate of fear among civil society organizations.
As Juknevičienė noted, “NGOs are hit with impossible demands under bogus court orders.” This is not just a matter of bureaucratic red tape; it’s a deliberate attempt to silence voices that are critical of the government. The demand for personal information without legal grounds is a clear infringement on citizens’ rights and a blatant disregard for the rule of law.
**EU Must Intervene**
The EU has a responsibility to act in defense of democracy and human rights in its member states, as well as in countries aspiring to join the union. MEP Juknevičienė’s call for tough sanctions against Georgia is a timely reminder that the EU must not stand idly by while democratic freedoms are eroded.
The situation in Georgia serves as a warning to other countries where authoritarian tendencies are on the rise. If left unchecked, these trends can lead to a complete erosion of democratic values and human rights. It’s high time for the EU to take decisive action and demonstrate its commitment to protecting democracy and civil society in all its member states.
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