Latest news with #foreignagents
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
EU condemns Georgia's foreign agents law as threat to democracy
The European Commission has severely criticised a draft law adopted in Georgia on the registration of "foreign agents" and stressed that this is incompatible with the European integration of the country, which has been de facto halted. Source: Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos in a joint statement, as reported by European Pravda Details: Kallas and Kos noted that Georgia's Foreign Agents Registration Act is another manifestation of democratic rollback in Georgia, in addition to the recent law on broadcasting and grant restrictions. "These repressive measures threaten the very survival of Georgia's democratic foundations and the future of its citizens in a free and open society", they said. "In its June and October 2024 conclusions, the European Council found that such course of action jeopardised Georgia's EU path. The accession process has been de facto halted." On behalf of the EU, Kallas and Kos urged the Georgian authorities to respect the aspirations of Georgian citizens for a democratic European future and also called for the release of unjustly detained journalists, activists and opposition leaders. "The EU is ready to consider the return of Georgia to the EU accession path if the authorities take credible steps to reverse democratic backsliding. The responsibility lies solely with the Georgian authorities," the officials concluded. Background: On 31 May, Georgia's "foreign agents" law went into effect, which the authorities describe as an analogue to the US Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). In addition, this week, another opposition leader was detained in Georgia for refusing to testify before the parliamentary commission investigating crimes supposedly committed by Mikheil Saakashvili, former president of Georgia. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Arab News
3 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Georgia's foreign-agents act ‘a serious setback': EU officials
BRUSSELS: A new law in Georgia that from Saturday requires NGOs and media outlets to register as 'foreign agents' if they receive funding from abroad is a 'serious setback,' for the country, two top EU officials said. Alongside other laws on broadcasting and grants, 'these repressive measures threaten the very survival of Georgia's democratic foundations and the future of its citizens in a free and open society,' EU diplomatic chief Kaja Kallas and EU enlargement commissioner Marta Kos said in a joint statement. They stressed that the law, which they dubbed a tool 'by the Georgian authorities to suppress dissent (and) restrict freedoms,' jeopardized the country's ambitions of one day joining the European Union. 'Georgia's Foreign Agents Registration Act marks a serious setback for the country's democracy,' they said. Georgia's law is inspired by US legislation which makes it mandatory for any person or organization representing a foreign country, group or party to declare its activities to authorities. But NGOs believe it will be used by Georgia's illiberal and Euroskeptic government to further repression of civil society and the opposition. The Black Sea nation has been rocked by daily demonstrations since late last year, with protesters decrying what they see as an increasingly authoritarian and pro-Russia government. Tensions escalated in November when Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced that Georgia would postpone EU membership talks until 2028. 'The EU is ready to consider the return of Georgia to the EU accession path if the authorities take credible steps to reverse democratic backsliding,' Kallas and Kos said in their statement.
Russia Today
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Even aliens could be labeled ‘foreign agents'
Russia's Justice Ministry has said even extraterrestrials could be designated as 'foreign agents' if they acted against the country. The law, modeled after similar US legislation, applies the label to a person or entity engaged in financial or political activities in the interests of a foreign state. Deputy Justice Minister Oleg Sviridenko made the remarks on Monday at the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum, while commenting on amendments to the law that broaden the criteria for the 'foreign agent' designation. 'Even if a spaceman landed from another planet and started carrying out actions against our country – he would be declared a foreign agent,' Sviridenko said. The decision to expand the law, originally adopted in 2012 and amended multiple times since, was driven by what Moscow views as increasing pressure from the West, the minister added. The latest amendments were signed into law by President Vladimir Putin and came into force on May 2. Authorities can now assign the 'foreign agent' label to anyone assisting foreign organizations deemed hostile to Russia's interests, as well as for the involvement in or financing of such activity. The law also covers those who recruit others to collect military or technical information that, if acquired by foreign sources, 'could be used against Russia's security.' Criminal liability has also been introduced for making profit-driven calls for sanctions and for discrediting the Russian military. Calls for sanctions are punishable by up to five years in prison, while the other offenses carry sentences of up to seven years. The crimes may also result in the confiscation of property. Those designated as foreign agents are not banned from operating in Russia but are subject to a range of restrictions. Individuals and entities listed as foreign agents must label all their content accordingly, regularly submit detailed financial reports to the Justice Ministry, and disclose their funding sources. In 2022, foreign agents were banned from holding public office, engaging in educational activities, and receiving state funds. Last year, advertising on platforms belonging to foreign agents was outlawed, while those deemed foreign agents were also prohibited from taking part in elections at any level.
Fox News
13-05-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Evening Edition: Bipartisan Work On Threats From China And Prescription Drug Prices
Virginia Congressman Ben Cline (R-VA), member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, has introduced legislation that would close a loophole in the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) which would ensure that individuals who were once acting as a foreign agent will be required to register for their foreign lobbying work. The bill is getting solid bipartisan support, along with support of President Trump's announcement the United States and China have agreed to lower most tariffs for 90 days saying the deal will cut tariffs on most Chinese products from 145 to 30 percent. FOX's Ryan Schmelz speaks with Congressman Ben Cline (R-VA), member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and House Committee on Appropriations, who says he hopes to get Democrats onboard to combat threats from China, lowering prescription drug prices and ways to save Medicaid. Click Here To Follow 'The FOX News Rundown: Evening Edition' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
