The President of Georgia promised to cancel the bill restricting freedom of assembly and rallies
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili noted that she would veto the law “On meetings and manifestations,” which restricts freedom of assembly and expression.
“Frivolous and cynical statements by the parliamentary majority are disrespectful to society. The President will veto a bill that restricts freedom of assembly and expression. It contradicts the democratic system of the country and the spirit of the recommendations of the European Union,” says Salome Zurabishvili’s page on the social network.
The day before, the ruling Georgian Dream announced that they would override the president’s veto. Then the deputies referred to Article 36 of the Constitution of Georgia “Status and powers of parliament”.
Amendments adopted in an expedited manner will immediately enter into force. According to the amendments, protest organizers will be prohibited from setting up a stage or other structures if the devices pose a threat to protest participants or other persons or interfere with the police’s ability to maintain public order. The structure cannot be erected if nothing interferes with the event without it. In case of violation of the rules, the participants of the action will be fined 500 lari (about $190), the organizers - 5 thousand lari ($1.9 thousand).
