Analysis: Why are Georgians protesting against the ‘foreign-agents’ bill?

Sky News' security and defence analyst, Professor Michael Clarke, explains the latest protests in Georgia against a new "foreign-agents law" - seen by many as as anti-democratic and pro-Russia.

The "foreign-agents" bill is currently in its "second reading", and could pass into law as soon as next Monday, according to Professor Clarke.

#georgia #michaelclarke #russia #skynews

[gcpcoll]

Is Nuland over there yet ? Soros involved again ?

[beridzebeka]

Georgia has been struggling against Russia for the last 300 years.

We are not intrinsically Russian ! Have never been ! Will never be !!!
Georgia has been around for thousands of years with its national identity which historically has always been European and currently by all relevant polls over 85% of Georgians want the country to strive for EU and NATO membership.

Only thing preventing and slowing down the process is the current government elected in 2012, which outwardly also plays a game of being pro EU, but with time, especially in the last 4-6 years has slowly shifted to autocracy and tried to move the country closer to Russia inch by inch. They have employed every play in the KGB playbook to deceive their own people into submission.

Despite this, we are still candidates for EU membership. Solely due to Georgian people, we are still outperforming ourselves in all the major metrics required for ascension to the EU. Whatever happens, we will never look towards north with anything but contempt and resolve to return our occupied lands.

Georgian people will not stand for it ! We will do everything in our power to consolidate this movement and say no to pro-Russian government in the upcoming October elections. Until then, we hope for all the support we can get from our closest European friends and strategic partner the US.

This is a part of larger strife by Russia to extend its spheres of influence into Caucasus or post soviet countries in general and if there is a lesson to be learned from the last 20 years of European politics, especially the Russo-Georgian war of 2008 after which Russia cemented its occupation of 20% of our country, occupation of Crimea in 2014 or current murderous war in our brotherly Ukraine, is that Russia should be stopped by any means possible !

[Poramola]

No country should allow foreign agents. Would UK allow Russian or Chinese agents ?

[guydreamr]

Looks like the "Georgia Dream" party is turning into a nightmare.

[alex]

Nothing controversial here, NGOs must just reveal their funders.
When the funders of NGOs are known, it prevents these NGOs from organizing the so-called "color revolutions."

[mkh]

US, UK & Europe all have such laws . why can't Geogia has the same laws ?. This laws prevent foreign entity to fund and overthrow ur govt. US has the most comprehensive laws to prevent foreign entity to fund their law makers.

[JeremAl]

lol Western NGOs don’t want to show their financing?!?

[SGON]

"Oh no, they have a law similar to the one passed in Russia"
"Doesn't Hungary have one of these laws?
Yes, how horrible!"

Uhm, doesn't the US has one?
"The Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) is a United States law that imposes public disclosure obligations on persons representing foreign interests."

[laurencebrowning]

So is this Georgian “Foreign Agents Bill” the same as the U.S. “Foreign Agents Registration Act” ? Doesn’t this just seek to promote transparency with respect to foreign influence in the U.S. so that the government & public know the source of the information that might be used to influence U.S. public opinion ? Doesn’t the U.K. have a similar system with a different acronym??

[capitosinora]

Hypocrites, this is actually an American law identical to the American "Foreign Agent Act".

[soho]

Hats off to the host for pointing out the hypocrisy since Bulgaria has a similar law.

[Noz]

Mikheil Saakashvili was not a rock star for the majority of Georgian society, he embittered the Georgian population, limited freedom of speech, He used to shut down free media by raiding special forces, for example he closed the only free TV station "Imedi" at that time by violent means. arrested many of his opponents and tortured them in prisons. The police had more than enough powers, protesters were chased to their houses with butts during his rule, and protesters were persecuted. also. Many political prisoners were sentenced to long-term prison terms for young people because of marijuana, and not only because of this reason, they were beaten in prisons, they were tortured, they were disabled. It was a terrible situation. I don't know who says or where they say that he was a rock star. He may have done a lot in terms of infrastructure and created good connections, but the situation was much worse than it is now in Georgia. no to foreign agents law❗️❗️no to violence❗️❗️we are and deserve place in europe❗️❗️❗️free palestine ❗️❗️❗️❗️

[mayerrathore]

This is not a Russian law but an American law, so where is the problem if a country stopping foreign interferance into there internal issues by western countries topping government with colour revolution

[mattcat]

Whatever happened to letting people decide for themselves which government they wish to rule them? Regarding some people part of your own ethnicity is nothing other than aggressive imperialism.

[littlerainyone]

Something I don't understand. If the overwhelming majority of Georgians favor EU membership, why is there an anti-EU party in power?

[yuliaschannel]

The Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) (22 U.S.C. § 611 et seq.) is a United States law that imposes public disclosure obligations on persons representing foreign interests.[1][2] It requires "foreign agents"—defined as individuals or entities engaged in domestic lobbying or advocacy for foreign governments, organizations, or persons ("foreign principals")—to register with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and disclose their relationship, activities, and related financial compensation.[2]

[mrboxheadd]

SO NOTHING WAS EXPLAINED ABOUT THE BILL ITSELF
JUST FINGER POINTING RUSSIA AND DON'T PASS THE BILL

[Kavala]

The USA has a Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).
Australia has a Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018 (FITSA).
The UK has the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS) pending.
Georgia wants a similar law... but critics call it "the Russian law" SMH.

[_NCO]

Most Americans here think it’s the US state 😂😂

[richardaspinall]

The Georgian foreign agent's law is based on the US law of the same name. Its purpose is to protect the country from foreign interference.