Protests in Georgia Continue Over Potential Passage of Anti-Freedom of Expression Law

After the President of Georgia vetoed the controversial 'Foreign Agents' law, a key committee in the Georgian Parliament is holding a session on Monday to decide whether to send a bill to overturn this presidential veto to the floor of the Assembly. Meanwhile, on Sunday, June 6, which was Georgia's Independence Day, thousands of protesters from the ruling party, the 'Georgian Dream,' once again demanded the withdrawal of the 'Foreign Agents' law. This law, which is also known as the 'Russian Law' due to its similarity to a law enacted by the Kremlin to further suppress dissent and freedom of expression, restricts the activities of media and human rights organizations funded from abroad in the country. Weeks of public protests against this law have escalated into violence due to crackdowns by riot police and gangs. The law has also been condemned by the West, as it contradicts Georgia's efforts to join the European Union and the Western bloc. Following the continuation of protests, Salome Zourabichvili, the President of Georgia, vetoed the 'Foreign Agents' law on May 29. However, after this action, the Legal Affairs Committee of Parliament, which is controlled by the 'Georgian Dream' party, voted on Monday, June 7, to send the bill to overturn this veto to Parliament, and leaders of this party have stated that they expect a full vote to take place this week. Luan Yusliani, the State Inspector, warned on Monday at a press conference in Tbilisi about the effects of this law, stating, 'In my opinion, the adoption of this law in its current form has already caused significant damage to the [democratic] process as a whole.' Yusliani added, 'Therefore, it is possible that Parliament may refrain from overturning this veto.' Senior officials of the ruling party in Georgia, who have taken a strongly anti-Western stance in recent months, insist that the aim of this law is to promote 'transparency' and curb 'harmful foreign influence.' The United States has also warned this country not to follow Russia, or else the continuation of this trend will lead to the cessation of U.S. financial aid to Georgia.