In Georgia, the alleged American counterpart of the FARA Act entered into force on 31 May.
Unlike the “Transparency of abroad Influences” Act (Russian counterpart of the “Foreign Agents” — ed.), adopted in 2024, the FARA Act (as the Georgian Dreams say) provides for imprisonment of up to 5 years and includes both organizations and individuals.
The task provides for the registration, publication of applicable papers and submission of an yearly financial declaration. The conditions for repealing registration and monitoring mechanisms to be entrusted to the Anti-corruption Office are besides laid down.
Meanwhile, NGOs in Georgia are convinced that the FARA Act will become a tool of repression against civilian society. The Act “on the Registration of abroad Agents” will be contested at the Constitutional Court (SK) — previously reported the Young Lawyers Association of Georgia (GYLA). This NGO, along with the media — Studio Monitor and Georgian News — has already applied to SK.
ODIHR/OBWE criticised the fresh bill, pointing out that the US FARA Act, on which the fresh Georgian Act is based, contains legal guarantees that prevent the stigma of civilian society.
The FARA Act was yet adopted by the Parliament of Georgia in early April 2024 — it is simply a literal translation of the US FARA Act (Foreign Agents Registration Act) — ‘ abroad Agents Registration Act’.
The paper defines the terms of the abroad agent of the payer (natural or legal individual authorising another individual to act as an agent — ed.) and abroad force.
The draft law regulates the following issues:
- registration of the entity as a abroad agent;
- ensuring public access to registration information as a abroad agent and another applicable documents;
- submission of an yearly financial declaration by an entity registered as a abroad agent;
- cancellation of registration of an entity registered as a abroad agent;
- conducting monitoring to identify a abroad agent or to check compliance with the requirements set out in the bill.
The bill besides provides for criminal liability for avoiding registration as a abroad agent or violating the applicable provisions of the law.
Implementation of the Act was entrusted to the Anti-corruption Office.
Source: sovanews.tv
Study Bulletin: BIS
