Georgia to vote on controversial law that sparked mass protests

Georgia‘s parliament is expected to give final approval to a controversial “foreign agent” law that has sparked weeks of mass street protests. Critics of the governing Georgian Dream party say the bill – which they call the “Russia law” – could be used to threaten civil liberties.

Thousands of people are gathering near the parliament to protest the expected imminent passage of the law. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has vowed the bill would pass.

On Monday, Mr Kobakhidze also warned that if authorities backed down at the bill’s third reading, Georgia would lose sovereignty and “easily share the fate of Ukraine”, without detailing what he meant. Massive rallies have gripped the Caucasus country for nearly a month.

Photos and footage posted online in recent days appeared to show violent altercations between protesters and police.As she walked into the parliament building on Tuesday morning, President Salome Zurabishvili – an opponent of Mr Kobakhidze – told the BBC she would veto the law. However, Georgian Dream has sufficient numbers in parliament to overrule her.

Riot police face off against foreign influence bill demonstrators
Under the bill – now due to go for its third and final reading – NGOs and independent media that receive more than 20% of their funding from foreign donors would have to register as organisations “bearing the interests of a foreign power”.

They would also be monitored by the Justice Ministry and could be forced to share sensitive information – or face hefty fines of up to 25,000 GEL ($9,400; £7,500).

Protesters are concerned that the legislation would be used by the government to suppress its opponents, and derail Georgia’s hopes of joining the European Union.

Parallels have also been drawn with an authoritarian bill which came into force in Russia in 2012, and which the Kremlin has since used to clamp down on dissidents

Source: BBC

In other news – Watch: Gogo Maweni gifts her mother a new BMW on Mother’s Day

Well-known South African reality TV star, businesswoman, and Sangoma, Gogo Maweni gave her mother a sweet surprise on Mother’s Day.

Mothers were celebrated across the globe on Sunday, and the socials were filled with various amazing gestures. Read more

The post Georgia to vote on controversial law that sparked mass protests appeared first on News365.co.za.