To the Deputy Chair of the Parliament of Georgia,
Mr. Archil Talakvadze
"We have a young democracy, but over the years, with the support of our society and international partners, we have been able to strengthen critical institutions such as free media, an active civil society, more effective self-government, and an accountable government. Currently, we have several media outlets in the country that often and actively amplify the voices of the opposition. We also have a civil society that freely expresses its position on any issue”. Two years ago, in your role as a parliamentary chair, you delivered a speech to the parliament using these words. Would you repeat them now, two years later?
We believe that the man who, in 2011-2012, proudly opened Centers for Civic Engagement alongside the US ambassador, will not support labeling them as "foreign agents" today. Organizing public discussions, involving citizens in democratic processes, and advocating for vulnerable groups are not influenced by foreign powers. Eleven years ago, you would have protested such a bill with us. You would have tried your best to mobilize international partners and local citizens in the Centers to oppose this initiative and protect our country's democracy and future.
You are well aware of the critical role that civil society organizations and the media play in a functioning democracy. During your work in USAID's Good Governance in Georgia program in 2011-2012, you actively supported the idea of strong, independent civil society organizations to empower vulnerable groups such as youth, women, people with disabilities, abused children, vulnerable families, farmers, and those fighting for their rights. Thanks to the USAID program's efforts, accessible civic spaces for all people were created in ten cities across Georgia, which led to the formation of the independent civil society organization the Network of Centers for Engagement (NCCE). To this day, we host tens of thousands of representatives from various fields and help vulnerable citizens protect their rights. Our international partners support us in this mission.
We believe you will understand our concern that the adoption of the Russian law will not only threaten the viability of the civil sector but also hinder Georgia's progress towards EU membership. Adopting this law will harm the Georgian people. We trust that you will not support this law and convince your colleagues that it is not only directed against free civil society organizations and media but also against Georgia and its citizens. We invite you to visit all ten Centers in Akhaltsikhe, Batumi, Gori, Zugdidi, Telavi, Marneuli, Ozurgeti, Rustavi, Sagarejo, and Kutaisi to hear the opinions of local citizens on this topic.
As your former colleagues and current staff at the NCCE, we count on your support and trust that you will use all the leverage at your disposal to prevent this bill from becoming law.
Teona Diasamidze, Batumi CCE Coordinator
Grigol Makharadze, Ozurgeti CCE Coordinator
Lika Imerlishvili, Telavi CCE former Coordinator
Eka Minjoraya, Zugdidi CCE Coordinator
Mariam Samkharadze, Marneuli CCE Coordinator
Ketevan Sibashvili, Sagarejo CCE Coordinator
Ketevan Tsibadze, Kutaisi CCE Coordinator
Liana Charkvian, Rustavi CCE Coordinator
Tamar Modebadze, Telavi CCE Coordinator
Soso Mezvrishvili, Gori CCE Coordinator
Tamar Tumanishvili, Akhaltsikhe CCE Coordinator
Natia Sirdadze, NCCE Program Advisor
Nina Khatiskatsi, NCCE Executive Director
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