Georgian PM questions EU, US criticism of “family values” bill

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Monday questioned criticism by high-ranking officials of the European Union and the United States of the ruling Georgian Dream party-proposed bill On Family Values and Protection of Minors, designed to “combat LGBT propaganda”, claiming it aimed to “protect family values and the interests of minors”. 

In his press briefing, the top official said the EU and the US  “should not be associated with promoting LGBT propaganda in the eyes of the Georgian people”. 

We do not understand why high-ranking representatives of the EU and the US would criticise a bill solely focused on protecting family values and the interests of minors”, Kobakhidze said.

He further claimed the legislation did not infringe on human rights, but instead sought to “limit crude propaganda”. 

I am personally concerned about the criticisms from Peter Stano [the EU Spokesperson for External Affairs] and James O’Brien [the US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs] over the bill”, the PM said.

He claimed the legislation “challenges a pseudo-liberal ideology, and we are troubled by the baseless criticism. We hope not to hear such statements from American and European officials in the future”. 

The bill, proposed earlier this year by the GD MPs, amends 18 existing laws and was passed in its second reading last week, ahead of the final hearing.

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.

If adopted, the constitutional law would also 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 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.

The European Union last week 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”.