Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party has unveiled proposed legislative amendments that would dramatically expand state control over foreign-funded civil society organizations, independent media, and politically active groups, triggering alarm among rights advocates, journalists, and legal experts who warn the country is on the brink of a full-scale crackdown on independent voices.

According to draft amendments obtained by OCCRP’s Georgian partner organization Monitori, the proposed changes would require nearly all foreign financial or in-kind support for non-governmental organizations, media outlets, and individuals engaged in public or political activity to receive prior government approval. Failure to comply could result not only in heavy sanctions but in criminal penalties of up to six years in prison.

Critics say the proposed measures go far beyond transparency or accountability rules and instead amount to a system of preemptive censorship and financial strangulation of civil society.

The amendments represent a significant escalation from Georgia’s existing legal framework governing foreign funding. In 2025, the government passed a Grant Law that required disclosure of foreign funding and imposed fines for violations. While controversial, that law was comparatively narrow in scope and did not criminalize the receipt of unapproved funds.

The new proposal, however, fundamentally changes the state’s relationship with independent organizations. It would expand the legal definition of a “grant” to encompass almost any form of support – including monetary donations, training, consulting, research assistance, and even pro bono technical services – if the government deems the support to be provided “with the belief or intent of exerting any influence” on public policy.

Legal experts warn that such vague language could be used to target routine journalistic work, policy research, advocacy campaigns, or even public-interest reporting funded by international donors.

“This is no longer about transparency,” said Nika Simonishvili, former chair of the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association. “This is about control. The government is trying to ensure that no independent money reaches civil society or media organizations that it does not directly oversee.”

Under the proposed amendments, organizations and individuals would be required to seek government authorization before accepting foreign support. The State Audit Office would gain expanded powers to monitor not only organizations but also politically active individuals, including journalists, activists, and researchers.

Those linked to foreign-funded entities would face additional restrictions, including a ban on joining political parties for up to eight years. Observers say this provision could effectively exclude a large segment of Georgia’s civic sector from political life, even indirectly.

The threat of criminal prosecution is seen as particularly chilling. In a post on its official Facebook page, Georgian Dream confirmed that receiving foreign funds without approval could result in prison sentences of up to six years.

“This introduces fear as a governing tool,” said one independent media editor who requested anonymity. “Even if the law is not enforced uniformly, the risk alone will be enough to force many organizations to shut down or self-censor.”

Georgian Dream has defended the proposed amendments as necessary to close “loopholes” that allegedly allow foreign actors to influence domestic political processes.

“At this stage, financing unrest, violence, or revolutionary processes in Georgia from abroad has become significantly more difficult,” said ruling party lawmaker Irakli Kirtskhalia during a briefing. “However, in practice, we still see mechanisms to bypass existing laws.”

If left unaddressed, he argued, such mechanisms could threaten “peace, stability, economic progress, and prosperity.”

Government officials have repeatedly framed foreign-funded NGOs and media as potential tools of external interference, echoing rhetoric increasingly common in countries that have adopted restrictive NGO laws, including Russia, Azerbaijan, and Hungary.

However, critics note that Georgian authorities have not publicly presented evidence linking mainstream civil society organizations or independent media outlets to violence or destabilization.

The proposed amendments have drawn comparisons to “foreign agent” legislation adopted in other countries, particularly Russia’s 2012 law that has since been used to dismantle much of that country’s independent civic sector.

While Georgian Dream insists the legislation is uniquely tailored to Georgia’s context, watchdog groups argue that the combination of vague definitions, prior approval requirements, and criminal penalties follows a familiar authoritarian playbook.

“This is how you legally suffocate dissent,” said a regional analyst based in Tbilisi. “You don’t ban organizations outright. You make it impossible for them to operate.”

The concern is compounded by Georgia’s political trajectory in recent years. Although the country has long positioned itself as a pro-European democracy, relations with the European Union have become increasingly strained, particularly after earlier attempts to pass controversial “foreign influence” legislation sparked mass protests.

Independent media outlets are expected to be among the hardest hit. Many Georgian news organizations rely heavily on international grants to fund investigative journalism, regional reporting, and media development projects in a small and highly polarized advertising market.

Under the proposed law, even routine funding for journalism training or investigative projects could be deemed an attempt to influence public policy, placing editors and reporters at risk of prosecution.

Media freedom advocates warn that the chilling effect could be immediate, with donors withdrawing support and outlets scaling back operations even before the law is enforced.

“Journalism cannot function under a system where every grant requires political approval,” said one media rights advocate. “That is not independence; that is licensing.”

Georgia’s civil society has played a critical role in democratic reforms, anti-corruption efforts, and human rights advocacy since the country’s independence. Many of these organizations emerged with the support of international partners and donors, particularly in the post-Soviet transition period.

The proposed amendments threaten to dismantle this ecosystem almost entirely, according to critics.

Simonishvili argues that the government’s failure to neutralize critical voices through earlier legislation has driven the move toward harsher measures. “The 2025 Grant Law didn’t work the way they wanted,” he said. “So now they are trying to shut the system down altogether.”

The amendments still require parliamentary approval, where Georgian Dream holds significant influence. Opposition parties and civil society groups are expected to mobilize against the proposals, potentially setting the stage for renewed protests and international criticism.

Western governments and international organizations have previously warned Georgia that restrictive NGO laws could jeopardize its democratic credentials and European aspirations. Whether such pressure will alter the government’s course remains unclear.

What is clear, critics say, is that the proposed legislation represents a decisive moment for Georgia’s political future.

“This is not just about funding,” said one civil society leader. “It’s about whether Georgia chooses pluralism or control, democracy or managed silence.”

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Source: Weekly Blitz :: Writings