NGOs File Lawsuit Against 'Foreign Agents' Law
By Liza Mchedlidze
Thursday, July 18, 2024
A coalition of 121 non-governmental organizations has filed a lawsuit against the "Foreign Agents" law in the Constitutional Court of Georgia. Representatives of the civil sector announced during a joint briefing that the lawsuit is ready and will be submitted today.
The NGOs are also asking the court to temporarily suspend the disputed parts of the law. Additionally, they are preparing a lawsuit to take to the European Court of Human Rights.
Giorgi Davituri, from the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI), stressed the importance of quick action. He said, "If the Constitutional Court prolongs the process, the international mechanism will continue to be used." He further explained the restrictive nature of the law, stating, "The constitutional lawsuit once again clearly confirms that the disputed law restricts the right of citizens to unite in order to achieve a common goal to do good for the country and help people. By adopting the Russian law, the authorities are creating a hostile environment where the enjoyment of various rights, including the freedom of association and expression, is declared a risk and a threat."
Davituri also praised the efforts of the President of Georgia and members of Parliament in appealing to the Constitutional Court. "We welcome the decision of the President of Georgia and members of Parliament to appeal to the Constitutional Court," he said. Highlighting the significance of the Constitution, he added, "Article 78 of the Constitution is the main point of Georgia's Euro-Atlantic integration."
Davituri expressed hope that the court would act swiftly. "We hope that the Constitutional Court of Georgia will consider the petition to suspend the disputed norm in the shortest possible time and will approve it," he said. He also mentioned ongoing preparations for further legal actions, stating, "In addition, we are preparing to submit a complaint to the European Court of Human Rights."
