Civil Society Groups Express Solidarity with NGOs Targeted Under 'Foreign Agents' Law
By Liza Mchedlidze
Monday, August 18, 2025
Thirty-four Georgian civil society organizations have released a joint statement in support of non-governmental groups accused by the Anti-Corruption Bureau of violating the so-called "foreign agents registration" law.
The signatories described the accusations as an attack on democratic values.
"First of all, we express our respect for the principled position not to accept the false and insulting label of 'carrier of foreign interests,'" the statement said. "You are independent Georgian organizations that operate in accordance with your own statutes and serve only the Georgian people."
The groups emphasized the importance of the work carried out by independent NGOs. "Your mission - protecting the rights of women, children, workers, persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons, and all oppressed people - is vital for the existence of a democratic society," they declared.
They also framed the attacks as a broader threat to Georgia's political system. "The attack on independent NGOs and the media is not only an attack on your organizations, but on the very foundations of the country's democracy," the statement read.
Referencing international standards, the organizations rejected the legal basis for the accusations. "We share your position that, according to international standards and the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), your organizations are not subject to registration in such a registry," they noted.
The groups expressed admiration for the determination of NGOs facing the accusations. "We value your courage and resilience with which you continue your work under conditions of unfair attacks and threats of criminal liability. Your work is essential to defend Georgia's free, democratic, and European future."
They concluded with a message of unity. "You are not alone. The Georgian people and the international community stand with you. We condemn the unconstitutional attacks against you and share the belief that your struggle serves every citizen of Georgia who believes in Georgia's free, just, and democratic future."
The declaration was signed by organizations including the Europe Foundation, Georgian Young Lawyers' Association, Rights Georgia, Democracy Research Institute, Institute for Development of Freedom of Information, Georgian Democracy Initiative, Tbilisi Pride, the Tolerance and Diversity Institute, and media outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti.
The joint statement followed letters sent on August 11 to six NGOs by the Anti-Corruption Bureau, accusing them of failing to register as "carriers of foreign interests." The NGOs responded that they refuse to comply. "We do not intend to live under Russian laws, and therefore will not register as carriers of foreign interests," they said in their reply.
