Written question asked by Adam Holloway (Conservative) on Friday, 3 May 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 8 May 2024. It was answered by Nusrat Ghani (Conservative) on Thursday, 9 May 2024 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Georgia: Elections

Question: To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, whether he has had recent discussions with his Georgian counterpart on the impact of the foreign agent bill on the treatment of (a) UK and (b) international non-governmental organisations during elections in that country.

Answer: The UK is committed to supporting a vibrant civil society in Georgia, which is an essential attribute of a healthy democracy. I [Minister for Europe] discussed this and a range of other issues with the Georgian Ambassador on 17 April, and on 2 May I publicly raised my concerns regarding the apparent excessive use of force by police during demonstrations in Tbilisi. His Majesty's Ambassador to Georgia has consistently made our concerns about the proposed law on Transparency of Foreign Influence known to the Georgian Government, most recently to the Prime Minister on 22 April and President on 4 May.

Secondary information