Georgia's LGBT Community Faces New Challenges as Controversial Law is Signed
On October 3, 2023, Georgia's Parliament Speaker, Shalva Papuashvili, signed into law a contentious bill that significantly restricts the rights of the country’s LGBT community, a move that has drawn criticism from human rights organizations, the opposition, and the international community alike. Papuashvili, who is a member of the ruling party, Georgian Dream, approved the legislation after President Salome Zurabishvili refused to sign it, returning the bill to parliament following constitutional guidelines.
Dubbed the 'family values bill,' the legislation was pushed through parliamentary approval on September 17 by Georgia's ruling party with an 84-0 vote. The vote came amidst protests and rallies from demonstrators opposing the bill, showcasing the deeply divided political landscape in Georgia. Zurabishvili's opposition to the bill comes amid a parliamentary boycott by the opposition, who have been absent from sessions for months ahead of the impending elections set for late October.
Following Papuashvili’s endorsement, the law will be published in Georgia's Legislative Gazette and will officially take effect 60 days later. The law, formally titled "On Family Values and Protection of Minors," proposes amendments to 18 existing laws, many of which pertain to free speech and expression, as well as regulations on broadcasting and public gatherings.
Among the most controversial aspects of the new law is its prohibition on public gatherings that advocate for the rights of individuals to identify as a gender different from their biological sex and a ban on events that promote same-sex orientation or relationships.
In defense of the law, Papuashvili criticized both President Zurabishvili and the political opposition for their resistance, stating, "It is symbolic that the leader of the devalued opposition who has become a popular president refuses to sign the law that protects what's most valuable for a person: family and children."
Furthermore, he dismissed anticipated Western criticism and asserted that the ruling party would stand firm in its beliefs. "I understand very well that the signing of this law will cause criticism from some foreign partners," Papuashvili remarked. "But we Georgians have never been afraid of others' judgment when our faith, common sense, and loyalty to the country required us to do so."
The opposition in Georgia remains resolute in its boycott of parliamentary activities following the approval of a controversial foreign influence bill earlier this year. The ruling party’s legislation mandates organizations receiving over 20 percent of their funding from abroad to register as agents of foreign influence, which many see as a direct threat to democracy and civil society in Georgia. Despite public protests and warnings from the United States and the European Union regarding the implications of this bill on Georgia’s democratic processes, the ruling party has continued to push forward.
In response to the ongoing situation, Washington imposed sanctions on more than 60 individuals within Georgia, including government officials who were deemed to be undermining democracy and human rights. This led Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze to caution about potential revisions in Tbilisi's relationship with the United States. Notably, the European Union has also paused its accession negotiations related to Georgia, casting further doubts on the country's aspirations towards integration with Western institutions.
Georgian Dream, founded by former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, has continued to assert its commitment to Western integration, despite the backlash from civil society and international partners. The landscape of societal change appears fraught with challenges as the citizens of Georgia seek to distance themselves from the influence of Russia, which maintains military presence in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, territories recognized as independent states by Moscow in the aftermath of the 2008 war.
The signing of this law signals a crucial moment for Georgia, raising questions about the future of civil liberties and human rights as the nation readies itself for critical elections next month.
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