Georgia's GIP Halts Operations Amid Crackdown on Civil Society
The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) has temporarily ceased its operations due to the current political climate. The decision follows a series of restrictive laws targeting civil society and independent media, implemented by the Georgian government over the past two years.
The Georgia Tech's move comes amidst a broader crackdown on non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The Solidarity Community, supporting Georgia's Muslim community, has also suspended its work indefinitely due to the repressive policies of the ruling Georgian Dream party. Several investigations into NGOs have been launched by the Anti-Corruption Bureau under the topics of the Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA) and foreign grants.
The implemented laws include FARA and amendments banning foreign grants without government approval. The Georgian Dream has justified these measures as necessary to combat the 'influence of external powers'. However, critics argue they aim to undermine civil society and independent media. The Prosecutor General's Office has further escalated the situation by requesting the freezing of bank accounts of seven Georgian organizations and summoning civil sector representatives for questioning.
The temporary suspension of the Georgia Tech's operations reflects the growing challenges faced by NGOs in Georgia. The restrictive legislation and actions by the Prosecutor General's Office have raised concerns about the future of civil society and independent media in the country. The impact of these measures on Georgia's democratic trajectory remains to be seen.
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