Thousands of protesters take to the streets in Georgia to protest against controversial “foreign influence” law

tens of thousands People demonstrated again on Thursday afternoon against the controversial “foreign influence” bill Georgia, According to an AFP journalist.

Unlike previous days, the protests took place at two different locations: In front of the Parliament, traditional place of demonstrations, and in Heroes Square, Where a monument to fallen Georgian soldiers stands.

These marches have been taking place since April 9, when the government presented the legislative project, which its critics argue Inspired by the Russian law on “foreign agents”

Used to silence dissent.

the party in power georgian dream, They tried to get it approved in early 2023, but did not succeed due to heavy opposition.

But the government re-submitted the project in April and this Wednesday in the second reading it was approved by 83 votes in favor and 23 against, and it is intended to be implemented in mid-May.

This Thursday, protesters blocked the road leading to the square, “No to Russia!” raising slogans of and displaying banners with the faces of Georgian Dream representatives, whom they described as “traitors”.

The police arrested many of them and used pepper spray, like a day ago

He United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, “Urges the Georgian authorities to withdraw this bill and engage in dialogue, especially with civil society and the media.”

“Calling NGOs and media outlets that receive foreign funding ‘organizations working in the interests of a foreign power’ is a serious threat to the rights of freedom of expression and association,” he said.

The Turk also said that he was “Concerned by reports On the unnecessary and disproportionate use of force against protesters and media professionals (…) tbilisi, “Georgian Capital”.

US National Security Council spokesperson, John Kirby He also expressed concern about what the law “could mean Suppressing dissent and freedom of expression.”

there was also a lesson European Union strongly criticized which believes that its approval would be inconsistent with Georgia’s aspirations to integrate the bloc.