Venice Commission Urges Georgia to Repeal or Revise Laws on Foreign Funding and Media
By Liza Mchedlidze
Thursday, October 16, 2025
The Venice Commission, the Council of Europe's advisory body on constitutional law, has sharply criticized Georgia's recently adopted laws on foreign funding for media and civil society groups, urging the government to repeal or significantly revise the controversial measures.
In a 24-page opinion released on October 15, the Commission assessed Georgia's Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and related amendments to the Law on Grants, the Law on Broadcasting, and the Law on Political Associations. All four laws were passed earlier this year by the ruling Georgian Dream party in a one-party parliament.
The Commission recommended the repeal of the Georgian FARA and the ban on foreign funding for broadcasters. It also called for the repeal or "thorough revision" of amendments to the grants law, which require foreign donors to obtain government approval before issuing grants to local organizations. "The combination of vague provisions, sweeping powers, and insufficient safeguards creates risks of arbitrariness, selective justice, and political misuse," the opinion stated.
The Commission noted that the Anti-Corruption Bureau, which is responsible for implementing several of the laws, "lacks sufficient safeguards for independence and political neutrality."
In its official press release, the Venice Commission said it had examined the laws "through a systemic approach, to take into account the combined effect of simultaneously applicable laws on the same entities and individuals." It added that authorities should focus on improving existing legislation "rather than adopting new laws" that may undermine rights and freedoms.
The body also expressed disappointment that Georgian authorities "have not wished to engage with it in the preparation of this opinion," while reaffirming its willingness to continue dialogue "in a manner which is in line with international standards."
According to the opinion, Georgia's FARA "risks undermining the rule of law, civic space, and democratic freedoms." The Commission said that, together with the previously adopted Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence, the measure "generates further confusion and uncertainty."
It argued that the law's vague definitions of "foreign principal," "agent of a foreign principal," and "political activities" leave too much room for interpretation. "The lack of clarity and precision undermines foreseeability and legal certainty," the opinion said.
The Commission also dismissed government claims that the law mirrors U.S. FARA. "What matters is not only the statutory text, but also the underlying legal principles, the relevant case-law, the institutional framework within which the statute operates," it said. "The authorities' reliance on the U.S. FARA as an 'exact analogue' cannot in itself support the compatibility of GEOFARA with international standards."
The opinion described the "agent of foreign principal" label as "inherently stigmatising," warning that it could have a chilling effect on freedom of expression and association.
The Venice Commission also criticized the recent amendments to the Law on Grants, which require government consent for foreign-funded grants. It said the measure "lacks a demonstrated justification in terms of necessity and proportionality" and "provides no clear and objective criteria for refusal."
It further noted that the Anti-Corruption Bureau's "extensive investigatory and enforcement powers" could be used in an arbitrary or discriminatory manner. The Commission recommended that the amendments be repealed or at least "thoroughly revised" to include proper safeguards.
On media regulation, the Commission said that the blanket ban on foreign funding for radio and television outlets "fails to distinguish between funding that genuinely threatens democratic integrity and funding that supports legitimate journalistic and civic activities." It concluded that the measure "undermines media pluralism and fails the standards of necessity and proportionality."
Regarding restrictions on foreign in-kind support for political parties, the Commission noted that while such measures "fall within the permissible national margin of discretion," they should still be narrowly applied.
In its concluding remarks, the Venice Commission urged the Georgian government to avoid overlapping legislation, provide clear and precise definitions, and limit the discretion of enforcement authorities. It called for the removal of stigmatizing terminology such as "agent of a foreign principal" and for sanctions that are proportionate and legally sound. The body emphasized the need for independent oversight and robust procedural safeguards to prevent abuse.
Finally, the Commission encouraged Georgian lawmakers to adopt "a more inclusive approach" in future lawmaking to strengthen the legitimacy and public acceptance of the country's legal reforms.
