In a big setback for Georgia, the United States of America’s Secretary of State Blinken on Thursday announced a visa restriction policy for Georgian individuals. The annoucement came in the backdrop of the adoption of a controversial foreign agent bill by the Georgian Parliament in the third and final reading. Although the President had vetoed the bill as it was inconsistent with democratic values.
According to media reports the restrictions include individuals responsible for suppressing civil society and freedom of peaceful assembly in Georgia through violence or intimidation. Secretary Blinken stated that “foreign influence law” would stifle the exercise of freedoms of association and expression and further impede independent media organizations working to provide Georgians with access to high-quality, transparent information.
The statement further states that ,both the national security law and the repressive tactics used to quell legitimate dissent undermine Georgia’s democracy. Apart from responsible individuals, restrictions will also be imposed against anyone who undermines democratic processes or institutions in Georgia.
Anyone who tries to create the ruckus before the scheduled election of October will be ineligible for U.S. visas under this policy and precluded from travel to the United States. Moreover immediate family members of such persons may also face the heat of policy. The Secretary of State said that if the law is not withdrawn a review of all bilateral relations between both countries may also be launched.
Secretary of State in the end also added that “We hope that Georgian leaders will reconsider the draft law and take steps to move forward while taking into account the people’s demands.”
Notably, visa restriction measures have been imposed under section 212 (a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and National Act. This section authorized the State Department to implement visa restrictions. These visa restrictions can be imposed on individuals as well as current or former state or non-state actors who are responsible for undermining democracy in Georgia.
