Georgia's ruling party has initiated amendments to the Law on Assemblies and Manifestations and the Code of Administrative Offenses, the discussion and adoption of which will proceed expeditiously. According to the bill, organizers of events at "places where people move" will be required to notify state authorities in advance.
If an assembly-manifestation poses a threat to public safety, law enforcement, the normal functioning of institutions and organizations, or the movement of vehicles and people, the authorized government agency will offer demonstrators an alternative location, time, and route.
Failure to comply with the instructions set out in the amendments will result in penalties; the exact penalties have not yet been announced.
As a reminder, Georgian Dream has repeatedly tightened legislation regarding rallies amid the daily protests in central Tbilisi that have been ongoing for over a year.
Georgia's fifth president, Salome Zurabishvili, commented on the ruling party's latest initiative, noting that this bill "further restricts the right to hold demonstrations."
"All protests planned in 'places of mass gatherings,' meaning in all central districts of Tbilisi, will be required to obtain prior permission. The main goal is the protest that has been ongoing on Rustaveli Street for a year now!" the politician wrote.
She also published the flags of Georgia and the EU, emphasizing that the EU flag is what drives Georgians to protest.
"This is also the flag for which Georgians demonstrate barehanded, pay exorbitant fines, suffer police beatings, end up in jail, but never give up on their European future!" Zurabishvili declared.
