The United States has imposed visa restrictions on dozens of Georgian officials, just days after Georgia’s parliament enacted its controversial ‘foreign agent’ law. The sanctions, which apply to between two and three dozen unnamed members of the ruling Georgian Dream party, parliamentarians, law enforcement officials, and private citizens, are in response to actions deemed to undermine democracy in Georgia.
According to US Department of State Spokesperson Matthew Miller, the affected individuals are those responsible for or complicit in undermining freedoms of peaceful assembly and association, attacking peaceful protestors, intimidating civil society representatives, and spreading disinformation at the government’s direction. Miller emphasized that these sanctions are a first step in revisiting the relationship between the US and Georgia, citing deep concerns over the Georgian Dream Party’s perceived anti-democratic actions.
The US response follows the recent passage of Georgia’s ‘foreign agent’ law, which mandates that media and NGOs receiving more than 20% of their funding from foreign sources register as foreign agents. Despite significant opposition—including mass protests, numerous arrests, and a veto from President Salome Zourabichvili—the parliament proceeded to enact the law.
Critics, including UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk, argue that the law suppresses civil society and undermines freedoms of expression and association. Human Rights Watch and other rights groups have warned of the law’s potential dangers, likening it to similar legislation in Russia designed to curb dissent.
These visa restrictions fall under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as part of a new policy announced by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken last month.
The sanctions align with the US stance urging Georgian leaders to reconsider their actions to align with their longstanding democratic and Euro-Atlantic aspirations. However, the US remains prepared to take additional measures if Georgia continues on its current path.
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