Georgian parliament approves law curbing LGBTQ rights
Georgia’s national parliament has passed a new law clamping down on gay rights. The law on “family values and the protection of minors” gives authorities the power to ban pride events, censor books, as well as doubling down on limiting marriage and the adoption of children to hetrosexual couples.
The EU has accused the Georgian government of rushing the legislation through, ahead of next month’s election.
Although Georgia’s outspoken President, Salome Zourabichvili, has suggested that she will block the law at the final stage, the government has enough seats in parliament to override her veto.
The government has pitched the law as safeguarding ‘family values.’
Rati Ionatamishvili MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party said the law “clearly distinguishes between those who prioritise the best interests of society and those who pursue external agendas.”
The European Union said the law “undermines the fundamental rights of Georgian people and risks further stigmatisation and discrimination of part of the population.”
Tamara Jakeli, the director of Tbilisi Pride, told Reuters the new restrictions will make it impossible for them to continue operating. “This law is the most terrible thing to happen to the LGBT community in Georgia”, she said.
Georgia is politically and geographically caught between two power blocks: Russia and the West.
Georgia’s new anti-LGBT law, and the controversial ‘foreign agents’ law earlier this year, mirror similar legislation passed in Russia.
The ‘foreign agents’ law, which effectively demonises NGOs and civil society, led to thousands of people taking to the streets.
Riot police used tear gas and water cannons to try and disperse protesters. Hundreds of people were arrested.
Georgia is an EU candidate country, but its accession process has essentially been frozen because of that legislation and the authorities’ heavy hand against protestors.
The European Union has repeatedly urged Georgia and its government to “recommit to the EU integration path.”
With the national election coming next month, Georgians will have to choose between the pro-Russian party of government, Georgian Dream, or the pro-EU opposition.
The pressure is mounting ahead of the vote on 26 October.
In a direct appeal to the Georgian people on social media earlier this week, the EU’s Ambassador in Tbilisi, Pawel Herczynski, warned, “the vote of each of you will decide the future of Georgia.”