The Democracy Research Institute (DRI) echoes the latest anti-democratic legislative package adopted by Georgian Dream, party which introduces amendments to the Law on Grants that ultimately establishes a mechanism of total legal control and repression in the country.

Dangerous expansion of the definition of a ‘Grant’

Under the new law, a grant will include any financial or in-kind assistance from abroad aimed at:

• exerting an influence on the Government of Georgia or public opinion in the country;
• shaping or changing domestic or foreign policy;
• carrying out activities based on the political interests of another state.

Funds transferred in monetary or in-kind form for the above-mentioned activities will also be considered grants if the recipient, in return, provides technical assistance, such as sharing specialised knowledge, skills, expertise, services, or other forms of assistance, including technical assistance provided free of charge in any of these forms.

Repressive mechanisms and sanctions

The legislative amendments introduce unprecedentedly harsh and disproportionate punishments:

1.      Up to 6 years of imprisonment: Individuals may face prison sentences for violating the Law on Grants.

2.      9 to 12 years of imprisonment: An aggravating circumstance is added to the money laundering article of the Georgian Criminal Code, envisaging severe punishment ‘for the purpose of carrying out activities related to political issues concerning Georgia.’

3.      Fines and property sanctions: Branches of foreign companies may be fined double the amount of the grant received.

4.      Retroactive application of the law: Individuals who received grants before the law enters into force must obtain government confirmation within one month after the law takes effect. Otherwise, they may face criminal liability.

Why are these changes anti-democratic?

• Violation of the constitutional order: Freedom of association, opinion, and expression is restricted. Criminalising political activity contradicts the principle of justice. 
• ‘Civil liquidation’: A ban on political activity for 8 years aims to stigmatise critical groups and remove them from democratic processes.
• Chilling effect: Vague wording gives the state the power to label any civic activism as ‘foreign influence,’ creating fear and self-censorship in society.
• Personal persecution: The law focuses not on institutional transparency but on punishing specific individuals because of their beliefs and views.

This is not a law about transparency — it is a mechanism of total legal control. Its aim is to eliminate a pluralistic environment and isolate Georgia from the democratic world. The changes directly contradict the European Convention on Human Rights and the country’s international obligations.

The Democracy Research Institute (DRI) calls for:

• An immediate repeal of the current amendments and the repressive law adopted since 2023.
• The Institute appeals to international institutions to activate all legal and political mechanisms against those actors who supported this repressive law, as it directly contradicts international obligations and human rights principles.