Georgia's Controversial Bill Sparks International Outcry Ahead of Elections
On September 17, 2023, Georgia's ruling party, Georgian Dream, approved a contentious family values bill that has drawn widespread condemnation from rights organizations and the European Union (EU) for allegedly infringing upon the rights of LGBTQ individuals. This decision is likely to exacerbate tensions in the country as it approaches crucial parliamentary elections in October.
In a vote that saw the opposition lawmakers boycotting, members from the ruling party voted 84-0 in favor of the bill, which claims to prioritize the protection of minors and traditional family structures. The bill now awaits the signature of pro-Western President Salome Zurabishvili, or if she declines, the parliament's speaker can sign it into law.
Critics point out that the legislation resembles similar laws enacted in Russia designed to restrict LGBTQ rights. Among its provisions, the bill proposes banning the portrayal of same-sex relationships and incest in educational settings and television. One of the most alarming aspects of the bill is the classification of homosexual relations alongside incest, which has provoked outrage among human rights advocates. It also prohibits gender transition adoption by gay and transgender individuals and declares that same-sex marriages performed elsewhere will not be recognized on Georgian soil.
Earlier this month, the EU warned that the introduction of this bill would undermine Georgian citizens' fundamental rights and might result in increased stigma and discrimination against minority populations. The EU explicitly stated that the bill's adoption could hinder Tbilisi's prospects for European integration and exacerbate existing tensions in EU-Georgia relations. Currently, Georgia's accession to the EU is effectively stalled, prompting the EU to implore the Georgian government to recommit to the integration process.
The bill's sponsor, Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, claimed that it aims to reinforce protective mechanisms for minors and uphold family values centered around a traditional union between a woman and a man. His comments followed the recent approval of an anti-NGO foreign influence law in Tbilisi, which incited weeks of significant protests against the government and drew condemnation from Western nations.
Adding to the discourse, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced sanctions against two Georgian officials due to their involvement in human rights abuses linked to the violent suppression of peaceful demonstrations against the foreign influence law. Blinken emphasized Washington's ongoing concerns regarding human rights violations in Georgia and declared that additional sanctions against more than 60 Georgian individuals and their families would be considered.
This recent legislative shift follows a broader trend observed since Georgian Dream first came to power in 2012, which initially promoted a liberal, pro-Western agenda. Over the past two years, however, the ruling party has taken a more anti-Western and anti-liberal stance, prompting critics to accuse the government of gravitating towards Russian influence and sabotaging the country's aspirations for EU membership.
As international bodies recoil at the potential implications of this legislation, the future of Georgia's civil rights and democratic processes hangs in the balance, with upcoming elections poised to be shaped by the intense backlash against this bill.
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