The bill, which has been under discussion since mid-April and is due to be approved by the Tbilisi parliament next week in its third reading, requires certain nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and media outlets to register as “organizations serving the interests of a foreign power” and has sparked street protests organized by the opposition. “Georgian lawmakers and officials have formally defended the bill as a transparency measure, but they have made no secret of its intent,” said Hugh Williamson, HRW’s Europe and Central Asia director. “By targeting independent media and groups as serving foreign interests, they aim to marginalize and suppress critical voices in the country that are essential for any functioning democracy,” he said. In that vein, Williamson also noted that “the bill’s sponsors have said publicly that they intend to use the law against groups and media outlets that ‘criticize the government, advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights, or engage in other activities that annoy the authorities.’” HRW said the parliament should reject the bill in its final reading and urged the authorities to “promptly and effectively investigate allegations of police violence” during the protests and “uphold the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.” The Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence is nearly identical to a bill that Georgia’s parliament attempted to pass in 2023 but withdrew after widespread protests. In the new version, the ruling Georgian Dream party replaced the term “foreign agents” with “organizations serving the interests of a foreign power.” The bill requires NGOs and media outlets that receive more than 20 percent of their annual income – financial or in-kind contributions – from a “foreign power” to register with the Justice Ministry as “organizations serving the interests of a foreign power.” Williamson also noted that if passed, they would face additional reporting requirements, inspections, and fines of up to US$9,300 (about 8,700 euros) for violations. “The foreign influence bill is an affront to fundamental rights and the Georgian authorities should drop it,” he said in the statement. He also noted that existing Georgian law already requires such organizations to register all contributions they receive, and to file monthly financial reports that are publicly available. The statement also raised concerns about reports of “unnecessary and excessive use of force” by police in dispersing demonstrations against the bill. It cited the use of tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets, and pepper spray to disperse “largely peaceful” protesters. The opposition has likened the bill to a system used in neighboring Russia that has become a tool of repression against dissent, although the authorities have cast it as a simple matter of transparency with no political intent. Earlier today, Pia Kauma of Finland, president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Kari Henriksen of Norway, special representative for the South Caucasus, and Secretary General Roberto Montella met with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili to discuss the controversial bill. Kauma has previously spoken out about the backlash and protests against the bill, and the deep polarization in Georgian society. She has also highlighted the concerns of OSCE parliamentarians and other international organizations about the potential impact of the legislation on Georgian civil society. Read Also: Thousands return to the streets in Georgia against the foreign agents law (Portuguese version)