Ivar Dale, a Senior Policy Adviser and a member of the Norwegian Helsinki Committee wants MPs of the parliaments of Georgia and Kyrgyzstan who promote Russian foreign agents laws to be banned from obtaining Schengen visas.
Dale has called on the European Union authorities and the governments of the Member States to impose Schengen visa bans on the MPs of the parliaments of Georgia and Kyrgyzstan who have voted pro the establishment of laws similar to those of Russia on foreign agents, SchengenVisaInfo reports.
Both in Georgia and Kyrgyzstan, MPs who promote Russian foreign agents’ laws should get slapped with Schengen visa bans. No more shopping trips to Barcelona or bank accounts in the EU. They can holiday in Chelyabinsk.
The Russian foreign agent law, which was enacted in Russia on November 2012, obliges anyone who receives support from outside or is under influence from outside Russia to declare themselves and register as foreign agents.
On May 1, Georgian parliament members voted pro the implementation of a similar law, amid protests in front of the parliament. Critics claim that the law could be used to repress critical voices and society groups.
Previously on April 2, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov signed a similar law that obliges some nonprofit organizations, including media, to register as “foreign representatives.” According to Dale, the Foreign Agents Law passed in Kyrgyzstan is directly copied from Russian legislation.
EU Heads Criticise Georgia: Your Future Is in the EU
Soon after the approval of the new law by the parliament of Georgia, the EU’s main heads criticized the move, calling for its parliament to prevent the law from becoming effective.
The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, has had a phone call with the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, to discuss the recent developments in the country.
Georgian citizens’ call for an open democratic and pluralistic society must be heeded. Vibrant debate is a cornerstone and genuine dialogue is now needed. Georgia’s future belongs with the EU. Don’t miss this historic chance.
The President of the EU Commission has also reacted to the voting, condemning the violence on the streets of Tbilisi against protestors.
The Georgian people want a European future for their country. Georgia is at a crossroads. It should stay the course on the road to Europe.
