UN rights chief calls on Georgia to withdraw 'foreign agents' bill

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk urged authorities to withdraw the law and engage in dialogue with civil society and journalists who risk being affected by the proposed legislation that takes aim at organisations receiving foreign funding. "I am concerned by reports of unnecessary and disproportionate use of force by law enforcement personnel against demonstrators and media workers in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi this week," he said.

The U.N. human rights chief on Thursday asked Georgia to withdraw a divisive draft law that has triggered large demonstrations in the country's capital, and voiced concern about authorities' treatment of protesters. United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk urged authorities to withdraw the law and engage in dialogue with civil society and journalists who risk being affected by the proposed legislation that takes aim at organisations receiving foreign funding.

"I am concerned by reports of unnecessary and disproportionate use of force by law enforcement personnel against demonstrators and media workers in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi this week," he said. The ruling Georgian Dream party says the law, which would require organisations receiving more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register as agents of foreign influence, is needed to ensure transparency. The party's billionaire founder said this week that Georgia must defend its sovereignty against Western attempts to dictate to it.