The Open Government Partnership (OGP) urges [1] the Georgian government to withdraw the draft Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence, and failure to address the concerns could end in the cessation of membership in the OGP. According to OGP [2], the law discriminates, stigmatizes, or hinders the freedom of expression and association of civil society organizations, media representatives, and vulnerable groups.

In recent years, the actions of the Georgian government have consistently demonstrated a clear misalignment with the OGP core values not only by endorsing the Russian-inspired law on "Foreign Agents," but also by undermining the independence of the judicial system, launching direct attacks on civil society organizations, human rights defenders, and critical media representatives, as well as making attempts to restrict their operations, infringing on fundamental freedoms, notably freedom of association and expression, and the right to privacy, and limiting access to information.

Following the gross violation of the basic values and principles of the OGP by the government, the OGP Support Unit launched the Policy on Upholding the Values and Principles of OGP (Response Policy) triggered [3] by Georgia’s Open Government Interagency Coordination Council member civil society organizations. The policy seeks to foster a greater engagement of the OGP’s international Secretariat (Support Unit), partner donors, and international organizations in effectively addressing the ongoing crisis.

According to the OGP Review Report [4], the concerns raised by Georgian civil society are relevant to the values and principles of OGP, and the evidence points to their veracity. Per OGP’s Response Policy, the Government of Georgia shall develop a comprehensive work plan within the next thirty days to address the identified challenges, including the initiated Russian law.

The Open Government Interagency Coordination Council member civil society organizations once again urge the government to withdraw the Russian Law, which is incompatible with the European Union legal system and values, the European Convention on Human Rights, as well as the fundamental values of the Open Government Partnership (OGP).

Economic Policy Research Center (EPRC)

Civil Society Institute (CSI)

Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA)

Green Alternative

Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI)

Partnership for Road Safety

Social Justice Center

Transparency International Georgia (TI)