A Letter From Georgia

by Luka Kimeridze

On 7 March, lawmakers in Georgia cast a majority vote to pass the Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence. While advocates argued its purpose was to meet the need for enhanced national security against foreign actors, those who opposed it — including a strong proportion of young adults — argued the law aimed to cripple, marginalize and eventually eliminate two essential actors in the democratic process — independent media and civil society — both viewed as threats by the political elite.

Collective outrage grew across the capital, Tbilisi, after the law was passed. People rushed from their homes and workplaces to the Parliament building and held a public protest. The demonstrators were effective, and the law was repealed on 10 March.

In the former Soviet country, many civil society groups — armed with social activism and shadow reports — play the crucial role of government watchdog. The media in turn reports on the activities of these groups, as well as on the government.

The law, which according to protestors would have aligned Georgia with Russian NeoImperialism, was intended to monitor media and civil society groups that receive funding for philanthropic and advocacy work from foreign grant-making organizations, private foundations and international development agencies — mostly based in Europe and the United States. The underlying assumption, according to this interpretation, is that these groups promote foreign interests that favor the West and a future that includes Georgia as a member of the European Union.

The parliamentary vote on 7 March was met by the unprecedented unity of Georgian civil society. In addition to citizen protests, more than 436 civil society organizations, among them Caritas Georgia, signed a petition opposing the law and staunchly supporting a vision for Georgia’s future within the E.U.

Situated in South Caucasus, Georgia has been exposed to the influences of both Western and Eastern civilizations, which have played a significant role in shaping Georgia’s history and have led to a rich tapestry of traditions, beliefs and customs over the centuries.

Among the oldest nations in the world, Georgia derives its heritage and identity from the Colchis, among the ancient indigenous Kartvelian tribes, who lived in present-day western Georgia from the Middle Bronze Age and formed part of the first European civilization. In the early fourth century, Georgia adopted Christianity through the evangelization of St. Nino. Over the centuries, as the Christian faith developed in Georgia, it became an important outpost of Christianity, together with Armenia, even as Islam enveloped parts of the region after the middle of the seventh century. Georgian monastics were agents of cultural encounters and contributed to the spread of Byzantine ideas to the Georgianspeaking lands.

Georgia’s proximity to the Persian and Ottoman Empires, as well as its historical interactions with the Silk Road, also infused it with elements of Eastern culture. Even today, Georgia continues to navigate the complexities of its dual cultural heritage.

Still, many Georgians aspire to align the country with the Western values of democracy, human rights and economic development by