GYLA: The vague and broadly interpreted amendments may increase the risk of abusive legal prosecution of organizers and activists of assemblies

Amid the ongoing protests across Georgia, the Georgian Dream is trying to suppress the protests by adopting repressive laws, reads a statement of the Georgian Young Lawyers Association.

In addition, the organization’s statement emphasizes that the amendments planned to be made to the Law on Assemblies and Demonstrations essentially restrict people’s freedom of assembly and expression.

According to the organization, the vague and broadly interpreted amendments may increase the risk of abusive legal prosecution of organizers and activists of assemblies.

“It is worth noting that a number of amendments related to violations of the rules of assembly and demonstration may serve as a basis for an administrative offense. The amendments will be made to this Code as well, which further weakens the guarantees for the protection of this fundamental right”, reads the report.

According to the organization, the inappropriate use of exceptional procedures in the law-making process significantly harms the rule of law and the principles of legal security.

“It is noteworthy that these amendments directed against freedom of assembly are being considered in an expedited manner. According to Georgian legislation, the expedited consideration and adoption of draft laws implies their approval within 1 week of plenary sessions. However, it is not just a procedural detail of the law-making process. In this way, both the quantitative and substantive indicators of the consideration of legislative initiatives are an essential indicator of the quality of deliberative democracy. In-depth discussion of planned legislative regulations, high public involvement in it, and the ability of the public to influence the content of laws directly reflect on their legitimacy and quality. The inappropriate use of exceptional procedures in the law-making process significantly harms the principles of the rule of law and legal security. The amendments aimed at preventing assembly and expression entered into force in an accelerated manner in December 2024 as well,” reads the GYLA statement.