Legislative changes that restrict the freedom to assist people
MEGA TV prepared a news report and a talk show addressing recent legislative changes in Georgia that require prior authorization for issuing grants. According to civil society organizations, the amendments adopted on April 16 pose a serious threat to the freedom and development of civil society in the country. In the report, Irakli Tevzadze, Secretary General of the Research-Intellectual Club “Dialogue of Generations” (RICDOG), strongly criticized the new law. He stated that the changes represent an attempt to exert pressure and control, which will negatively impact the interests of students, youth, people with special needs, women, displaced persons, and other groups, making it harder for Georgia’s civil sector to support the population. In the related program, Nugzar Kokhreidze appeared live on MEGA TV and emphasized that the amendment constitutes interference in and restriction of the donor’s freedom to operate and make decisions. He further noted that in other countries with similar legislation, donors withdrew their presence and halted activities shortly after such laws were passed. As highlighted in both the broadcast and the report, these and other steps targeting civil society contradict Georgia’s path toward European integration.