In a statement issued on Friday, the Biden administration expressed deep concern over Georgia's government pursuing the reintroduction of a controversial law that has been criticized for targeting civil society groups, NGOs, and free speech. The law, originally inspired by Russian legislation, requires NGOs and civil society groups receiving funding from international sources to register as foreign agents.

The Georgian Parliament recently introduced a revised version of last year's "foreign agents law," renamed as "On Transparency of Foreign Influence." The move has prompted concern from the United States government. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller emphasized that the draft legislation poses a significant threat to civil society organizations working to improve the lives of ordinary Georgian citizens in crucial areas such as health, education, and social support. Moreover, Miller argued that the law undermines Georgia's commitment to Euro-Atlantic integration and risks diverting the country from its European path.

The ruling parliamentary party, Georgian Dream, confirmed on April 3 that it would reintroduce the foreign agents law after withdrawing it the previous year due to domestic and international opposition. Georgian Dream claimed that the law aims to bring transparency to the funding of NGOs, particularly those accused of "supporting revolutionary processes" and "artificial attempts to cause unrest in the country."

The proposed law is based on the same text as the 2023 "Foreign Agents" law, with a key difference being the inclusion of organizations defined as pursuing the interests of a foreign power as foreign agents. It is important to note that Georgia has two territories under Russian occupation since 2008, making it an area of interest in Russia's expansionist goals, alongside the conflict in Ukraine.

While Georgia's government, led by the pro-Russian Georgian Dream party, attempts to maintain close ties with Moscow, it also aims to pursue European Union membership, a goal supported by the majority of the population. The European Union also expressed serious concerns about the reintroduction of the foreign agents law, cautioning that transparency should not be used as a means to restrict the operation of civil society.

The concerns raised by the Biden administration and the European Union highlight the potential negative impact of the proposed law on the functioning of NGOs and civil society organizations in Georgia. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the Georgian government will address these concerns and strike a balance between maintaining diplomatic ties with Russia and furthering its European integration efforts.