The “Youth Organization of Ukrainians of Georgia – Svitanok” stated that it considered the law on “foreign agents” harmful for Georgia, but was forced to comply with the requirements of the legislation in order to continue helping Ukrainians abroad.
Among the list of the top five organizations recognized by Georgian authorities as “foreign agents” is the “Youth Organization of Georgian Ukrainians – Svitanok”. This was reported by Echo of the Caucasus.
On the morning of October 1, the following non-profit organizations were added to the “foreign agents” list:
- “Youth Organization of Georgian Ukrainians – Svitanok”;
- “Kutaisi Youth House”;
- “Union of Christians”;
- “Jewish Culture and Education Fund”;
- “Georgia Farmers and Agricultural Workers Union.”
“The names of the organizations and their financial statements are published on the website of the Georgian public registry,” the document states.
Journalists emphasized that these are the first Georgian organizations included in the relevant registry after the Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence came into force two months ago. This document requires media and non-profit organizations in Georgia that receive more than 20 percent of their funding from abroad to register as “advocating the interests of a foreign power.”
Reaction “Svitanku”
“Youth Organization of Georgian Ukrainians – Svitanok” stated on its Facebook page that it saw this law as an obstacle on Georgia’s path to the European Union, but had to comply with the law.
“Our organization’s decision to enroll in the Foreign Influence Transparency Registry does not stem from our stance on this law. We, like the majority of Georgian people, oppose restrictive actions of the civil sector, and like all international partners of Georgia, we oppose. “I believe that this law is an obstacle on the way to the European Union,” the organization said in its statement.
They emphasized that this was “the most difficult decision” that the organization had to make and that it was related to the content of its activities.
“The main purpose of our organization is to develop the Ukrainian community in Georgia through educational, cultural and informational events, as well as to assist Ukrainian refugees in socialization and integration into the local society. We cannot risk the opportunity to provide assistance to Ukrainians abroad. “This will endanger even the employees of our organization who remain on the territory of Georgia due to non-compliance with the law,” Svitanka said.
Let us recall that on May 28, the Georgian parliament overcame the country’s President Salome Zurabishvili’s veto of the law on “foreign agents” (“Transparency of foreign influence”) by 84 votes.
On May 14, the Georgian parliament approved the “foreign agents” law in the final third reading.
Source: Focus
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