Georgian Parliament passes amnesty, anti-”LGBT Propaganda” bills in second reading

The Georgian Parliament on Wednesday passed a bill of amnesty of thousands of prisoners and a legislative package against “LGBT propaganda” in their second reading, with the final vote on the bills expected by the end of the month.

The amnesty bill, proposed by the ruling Georgian Dream party this year, will lead to the immediate release of approximately 1,000 convicts, while around 4,800 others will have their sentences reduced. Additionally, about 7,000 probationers will see their terms shortened by at least one year.

This amnesty covers crimes committed under more than 290 articles of the criminal code and is applicable to offences committed before July 1, 2024. However, it excludes those convicted of murder, drug trafficking, sexual offences, robbery, terrorism, corruption, official misconduct, organised crime and other serious or especially serious crimes.

The legislative package titled On Family Values and Protection of Minors, also initiated by the ruling party earlier this year, aims to combat “LGBT propaganda” and “protect national and religious values” by amending 18 existing laws.

Georgian Dream MP: “vital” to protect LGBT rights while “protecting children from propaganda”

The proposed changes would ban public gatherings or demonstrations promoting gender identities different from one's biological sex, sexual orientation, or incest. Amendments to the broadcasting law would require broadcasters to avoid airing advertisements or information promoting LGBT relationships and incest, as well as footage depicting such content.

The Venice Commission of the Council of Europe in June issued critical recommendations on the bill, urging Parliament to halt its progress.

However, the ruling party also submitted a package of constitutional amendments related to the issue, calling on voters to help the party secure a constitutional majority of at least 113 seats in the Parliament in the October 26 general elections to enshrine the changes in the constitution.

If adopted, the constitutional law would prohibit the dissemination of materials promoting same-sex family or intimate relationships, incest, adoption or foster care by non-heterosexual individuals or same-sex couples, sex-change medical procedures, or the non-use of gender-defined concepts.

The European Union on Wednesday condemned the “rushed adoption” of the legislative package, claiming it undermined the “fundamental rights of Georgian people” and risked “further stigmatisation and discrimination of part of the population”.

The EU also expressed regret that the legislation, “with important repercussions on the EU integration path”, had been passed “without due public consultations and a thorough analysis of its compliance with European and international standards”.