NGOs – The U.S.-based "FARA" does not oppose the activities of independent NGOs and media, while Ivanishvili’s illegitimate government seeks to repackage the Russian law adopted against the civil sector.

The Russian law, in any of its forms, will never be Georgia’s choice, according to a joint statement by non-governmental and media organizations. They believe that "Ivanishvili’s illegitimate government seeks to repackage the Russian law adopted against the civil sector."

"Ivanishvili’s illegitimate parliament’s every act that restricts people’s freedoms is anti-Georgian and unconstitutional. The tightening of the unenforced Russian law to intimidate citizens through criminal prosecution is also anti-Georgian and unconstitutional.

As early as 2023, we warned that after the adoption of the Russian law, it would be periodically tightened, affecting all citizens and significantly restricting their rights—just as it happened in Russia and other authoritarian regimes. Initiating and passing this law signified a shift in the country’s foreign course and a betrayal of Georgia’s Constitution, as confirmed by Ivanishvili’s Prime Minister in his statement on November 28, 2024.

Ivanishvili’s government claims that they are merely initiating a direct translation of the U.S. 1938 "FARA" law. However, the U.S.-based "FARA" does not oppose the activities of independent NGOs and free media, whereas Ivanishvili’s illegitimate government seeks to repackage the Russian law adopted against the civil sector.

Ivanishvili’s regime is attempting to suppress every manifestation of freedom. After politically motivated arrests of more than 50 people, crackdowns, and repressions, they now seek to leave victims of violence—children and women—unprotected, cut funding for scientists, youth, and socially vulnerable families, and silence the voices of regions, workers, displaced persons, and those fighting for their rights.

For the third year now, Georgian civil society has been telling Ivanishvili clearly that we do not intend to live and operate under Russian laws. The Russian law, in any of its forms, will never be Georgia’s choice.

Accordingly, we, the undersigned Georgian independent NGOs and media organizations, remain committed to the Georgian Constitution and our mission—to serve the Georgian people," the statement reads.

The statement is signed by 102 organizations, including:

Center for Human Rights and Social Justice

Human Rights Center

Alternative Georgia

Association "Social Umbrella"

Association "Women for Regional Development"

Youth for Democratic Changes

ExpressNews News Agency

Georgian Association for Children's Mental Health

Batumelebi

Accentnews

International Institute for Education Policy, Planning, and Management

Environmental Community Organization ECO

Gori Photographers' Club

Gori Community Radio Mosaic

Dakali

Democratic Meskhs Union

Democracy in Action

Institute for Democracy

Center for Democracy Research

Defenders of Democracy

European-Georgian Institute (EGI)

Economic Policy Research Center

Free Journalists' House

Cooperation for Sustainable Regional Development

Equality Movement

Human Rights House Tbilisi

Community "Qedeli"

Internews – Georgia

Institute for Development of Information Freedom

Rule of Law Center

Kakheti Regional Development Foundation

Prometheus Film Arts Center

Lomeki

Marneuli Democratic Women’s Society

Media Ombudsman

Media Development Foundation

Mountain Community

Neogeni

Netgazeti

Ozurgeti Independent Living Center

Families Against Discrimination – FAD

Partnership for Human Rights

Prevention for Progress

Proactive Group Georgia

Project 64

Profesio – Center for Personal and Professional Development

Publika

Real People, Real Vision

Rikdogi

Transparency International Georgia

Scientific-Intellectual Club "Dialogue of Generations"

Civil Idea

Civil Union

Civil Movement for Freedom

Civil Society Foundation

Center for Civic Engagement and Activism

Saorsa

Sapari

Georgian Young Lawyers' Association

Georgian Democratic Development Union

Georgia’s European Orbit

Academy for Georgia’s Future

Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics

Georgia Regional Empowerment Foundation

Georgian Reforms Association (GRASS)

Georgian Civil Society Development Association (ACSDG)

Georgia Court Watch

Georgian Psychosocial Assistance Association "Trust"

Georgian Psychotrauma Society

Solidarity Movement

Center for Social Justice

Sociological Center "BCG-Research"

Institute for Tolerance and Diversity (TDI)

Rights Georgia

Femina

Phoenix 2009

Women from Georgia

Women’s Initiatives Support Group

Women’s Fund in Georgia

Women and Development

Georgian Media Group (GMG)

Kvemo Kartli Women’s Association "Woman and the World"

Kvareli EuroClub

Disabled Women's Alliance

My Kharagauli

International Prison Reform

National Network for Protection from Violence

Center for Psychosocial and Medical Rehabilitation of Torture Victims – GCRT

Tsiteli

Green Alternative

JamNews

Habitat for Equality and Development

Cauc

asus Dialogue

CENN

EECMD

Grlzwave

NEO TV

OC Media

Tbilisi Pride

WECF Georgia

West Vector Production

Democratic Initiative

Documentary Film Association