In response to the Georgian parliament’s reintroduction of a restrictive “foreign agents” law, and repression and violence occurring at sustained popular demonstrations against the measure, Freedom House interim president Nicole Bibbins Sedaca issued the following statement:

“Freedom House supports the Georgian people, who have consistently and overwhelmingly backed a democratic path for their country. We join them in raising alarm over the Georgian government’s second attempt to pass a “foreign agents” law that would require certain civil society groups and media outlets to register as “organizations serving the interests of a foreign power”.

If passed, this law would stigmatize legitimate civic activity and independent media and provide authorities with new tools they can use to fine or otherwise penalize nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) whose work they disagree with”, - reads the statement.