Legislative changes that restrict the freedom to assist people

The television company “Mega TV” prepared a report and a program covering the recent legislative changes, which require obtaining prior authorization when issuing grants. According to evaluations by non-governmental organizations, the changes adopted on April 16 pose a major threat to the freedom and development of civil society.

In the report, Irakli Tevzadze, Secretary General of the Research-Intellectual Club “Dialogue of Generations” (RICDOG), strongly criticizes the legislative changes. According to him, these changes represent an attempt at pressure and control, which will harm the interests of students, young people, persons with special needs, women, internally displaced persons, and various other groups, and will significantly hinder the ability of the Georgian civil society sector to support people.

In the related television program, Nugzar Kokhreidze stated live on MEGA TV that these legislative changes interfere with and restrict the freedom of decision-making and activities of donors. During the program, he also discussed examples from other countries, where the adoption of similar laws led donors to leave the country and suspend their activities.

As stated in the program and the news report, this and other measures targeting the civil society sector run counter to the process of European integration.

For your information, Georgian civil society organizations emphasize that these legislative changes aim to transform Georgia into a closed and isolated state, where all spheres of public life are subordinated to the ruling power under a system of totalitarian-style control, excluding the possibility of much-needed support from international partners and friends. The law also seeks to suppress the work of the media and civil society, who provide services to the Georgian people and deliver information about violations of citizens’ rights by state institutions, corrupt dealings, and the abuse of public office for personal gain.

Watch the full program here:

Watch the full program here: