Georgian Constitutional Court Reviews Lawsuits Against 'Foreign Agents' Law
By Liza Mchedlidze
Friday, August 30, 2024
On August 29, the Georgian Constitutional Court began its review of consolidated lawsuits challenging the 'Foreign Agents' Law. These lawsuits, filed by President Salome Zourabichvili, 121 civil society and media organizations, opposition MPs, and journalists, claim the law violates key constitutional principles and jeopardizes Georgia's path toward European integration.
The preliminary hearing, which will last until August 31, began with the presence of all judges except Judge Irine Imerlinshvili, who was absent due to health reasons. Merab Turava, Chairman of the Constitutional Court, announced that a new lawsuit against the law had been submitted by the Association of Law Firms of Georgia, although it could not be combined with the existing case due to procedural limitations.
President Zourabichvili's representatives argued that the law directly contradicts Article 78 of the Constitution, which obliges all constitutional bodies to work toward Georgia's integration into the EU and NATO. They also highlighted violations of fundamental rights, including freedom of association, freedom of expression, and the right to personal development, urging the Court to suspend the law before its enforcement begins on September 1.
The absence of Georgian Dream members, who were designated to represent Parliament, was noted, with the defendant side instead represented by parliamentary staff. The Georgian Public Ombudsman, Levan Ioseliani, submitted a supportive brief, asserting that the law unfairly targets certain organizations based on their foreign funding, which could stigmatize them and impede their operations.
As the hearing proceeded, opposition MPs and civil society leaders echoed concerns about the law's potential to damage Georgia's democratic institutions and derail its Western alignment. Media representatives also raised alarms about the risks to press freedom, citing the law's impact on journalists' ability to protect sources and the confidentiality of their information.
The hearing will continue through August 31, after which the Constitutional Court will decide on the admissibility of the claims and whether to temporarily suspend the law's implementation pending a final decision.
