PM offers explanation to clergy about anti-discrimination law

Georgia’s anti-discrimination draft law is remaining in the spotlight as Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili says the new law will not legalise "any illegal activity".

The issue was again discussed by the country's officials during today's Parliament meeting.

Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said the clergy, which strictly opposed to the law, did not have complete information regarding the legislative package and as a result, were not fully informed.

Garibashvili commissioned Parliamentary Secretary Shalva Tadumadze to communicate with the Church and explain the definition of the Bill and what it was all about.

"[The church's] main concern was that the adoption of this law was going to legalise sin, promote homosexuality and that something terrible would happen in the country. I'd say with full responsibility that adoption of the anti-discrimination law will not legalize any illegal activity," the Prime Minister said.

He denied rumours that the anti-discrimination law would ban priests from preaching on this issue. He said: "The second major concern of [the church] is that they will not be allowed to preach. Of course, this is an absolute lie,” Garibashvili said.

"Adoption of this law will not limit preaching. This is exactly why we put a separate article in the Bill, which refers to the existing agreement between the state and the church," he claimed.

The Prime Minister said the anti-discrimination law would not legalise any illegal activity.

"As the head of the Government, the Prime Minister and the leader of the Georgian Dream coalition, I want to declare that no anti-state, anti-national law will be adopted under our leadership. There is no risk that the mentioned law will create any threat to our most precious values and traditions," Gharibashvili said.