US State Department condemns foreign influence bill advanced in Georgian Parliament

The United States Department of State on Wednesday condemned what it called a “Kremlin-inspired” bill on transparency of foreign influence, advanced in Georgia’s Parliament, and the “false narrative” it said Georgian Government officials had adopted to defend it.  

The statement claimed members of the ruling Georgian Dream party had been “clear” that the intent of the law was to “silence critical voices and destroy Georgia’s vibrant civil society”.

This legislation and Georgian Dream’s anti-Western rhetoric put Georgia on a precarious trajectory. The statements and actions of the Georgian Government are incompatible with the democratic values that underpin membership in the EU and NATO and thus jeopardise Georgia’s path to Euro-Atlantic integration”, the Department of State said.

The Department also noted comments “mischaracterising” foreign assistance in Georgia were “fundamentally undermining the strong relationship” the US had developed with the Government and citizens of Georgia.

“We stand with the Georgian people and their right to have their voices heard.  We condemn the use of violence against peaceful protests, including against journalists covering the demonstrations”, the statement noted.  

The State Department stressed the use of force to “suppress peaceful assembly and freedom of speech” was “unacceptable”, and further pointed out that “we urge authorities to allow non-violent protesters to continue to exercise their right to freedom of expression”.