Approximately 1,000 protesters remained outside Georgia’s parliament on Monday morning following an all-night last-stand demonstration against a highly controversial bill that bears resemblance to Russian-style “foreign influence”.
For weeks, large-scale protests have engulfed the ex-Soviet republic due to a bill that has been deemed the “Russian law” because of its resemblance to repressive legislation employed by the Kremlin.
The bill has sparked anger among protesters, particularly among the younger generation. They believe that this legislation will hinder the country’s aspirations to become a part of the European Union and will also undermine democracy within the nation.
The ruling party in Georgia, known as Georgian Dream, is determined to pass a bill on Tuesday that aims to promote transparency. Last year, the party faced significant opposition and had to withdraw a similar bill due to public backlash. However, they are now pushing forward with their efforts.
NGOs and media that receive more than 20 percent of their funding from abroad are obligated by law to register as an “organization pursuing the interests of a foreign power.”
The bill was swiftly passed by MPs on Monday, as they efficiently pushed it through a parliamentary legal committee in a matter of minutes.
On Sunday, a massive crowd of protesters gathered to express their strong opposition to the bill. Their determination was evident as some protesters even stayed overnight to prevent ruling party MPs from entering the parliament building the next day.
In the early morning, I witnessed police apprehending and physically assaulting a crowd of demonstrators.
A multitude of riot police formed a tight formation along a narrow street adjacent to the parliament, engaging in minor altercations with protesters.
Despite warnings from authorities, thousands of people defiantly gathered at the gates of the parliament building, disregarding the risk of arrest.
Students from Tbilisi’s universities initiated a strike on Monday, spearheading the ongoing protests in Georgia.
“We are determined to stay here for however long it takes,” stated 22-year-old Mariam Kalandadze in an interview with AFP.
– ‘We know this scenario’ –
“This law signifies a decision to not become a part of Europe,” she expressed, emphasizing that “this is a lifelong aspiration of mine.”
Protesters are accusing Georgian Dream of deception as they claim to remain committed to Georgia’s accession to the EU.
Critics argue that the bill will move Georgia towards a system similar to authoritarian Russia.
In 2012, Russia passed a similar law that has been utilized to suppress opposition voices.
26-year-old Archil Svanidze expressed concerns about the potential consequences of the passing of this law, drawing parallels to the situations in Russia and Belarus.
We are all familiar with this situation.
Young people have played a prominent role in the Georgian protests, with individuals under the age of 30 taking the lead and even some recent school graduates joining the movement.
However, numerous individuals expressed that their parents and grandparents provided them with support.
“We have always been aware of our European heritage. This knowledge extends beyond just the younger generations, including Gen Zs and millennials,” Svanidze emphasized, expressing pride in his father’s dedication to the protest throughout the night.
– ‘We will leave’ –
Georgian Dream, which has been in power since 2012, has depicted the protesters as a violent mob and has justified the law as essential for maintaining Georgian sovereignty.
The bill, which had previously faced significant opposition, was unexpectedly reintroduced in April after being withdrawn a year prior.
Bidzina Ivanishvili, a billionaire who amassed his wealth in Russia, has openly criticized NGOs, labeling them as internal adversaries. He claims that these organizations are involved in conspiracies to incite revolution and are under the influence of foreign powers.
Protesters and the opposition are frequently accused by officials of having connections with the previous government, which was led by their nemesis Mikheil Saakashvili, who is currently incarcerated.
“I find it ironic that they constantly criticize the previous government for being corrupt and brutal,” commented 18-year-old Salome Lobjanidze, who opted to skip her university lectures on Monday in order to join the protest outside the parliament.”
At the age of six, Georgia’s previous government collapsed, with her expressing her weariness of these ongoing disputes.
Lobjanidze, who was at parliament with her friend, expressed her profound disappointment and devastation regarding the law.
She expressed her concerns, stating that if the proposal is approved, numerous individuals present at the scene would choose to depart from the country.
The stand-off in the country’s recent political history is widely regarded as one of the most tense situations to date.
