「スパイ法案」に大規模抗議デモ　ジョージア

【トビリシ（ジョージア）ＡＦＰ＝時事】ジョージアの首都トビリシで７日、スパイを意味する「外国のエージェント（代理人）」に外国とつながりのあるメディアやＮＧＯを指定し、登録義務を課す法案が議会の第１読会で可決されたのを受け、大規模な抗議デモが行われた。警察が催涙ガスや放水銃を使って鎮圧を図ったのに対し、機動隊に向け火炎瓶を投げる参加者も見られた。（写真はジョージアの首都トビリシで、警察と衝突するデモ隊）
　米国を公式訪問中のサロメ・ズラビシビリ大統領は、自由の女神を背景にした動画でデモへの支持を表明。「未来は欧州にあると信じる『自由ジョージア』をあなた方は代表している」「未来を奪う権利は誰にもない」と語り、法案に拒否権を行使する考えを示した。
　ジョージアは将来の欧州連合（ＥＵ）加盟を目指している。
　一方、ロシアはスパイ認定を容易にする同様の法律を導入し、反体制派の取り締まりに利用している。【翻訳編集ＡＦＰＢＢＮｅｗｓ】
〔ＡＦＰ＝時事〕（2023/03/08-16:05）

Georgian police used tear gas and water cannon against protesters Tuesday as thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in the capital Tbilisi to oppose a controversial foreign agents bill.
At one point a protester opposed to the law, which would impose registration requirements on media and NGOs with foreign ties, threw a Molotov cocktail at a cordon of riot police, according to television footage.
The demonstration took place after Georgian lawmakers earlier Tuesday gave their initial backing to the draft law, which is reminiscent of Russia's legislation used to crack down on dissent.
In recent years Georgian authorities have faced mounting international criticism over perceived backsliding on democracy, seriously damaging Tbilisi's ties with Brussels.
In 2012, Russia adopted a law that allows authorities to take action against NGOs, media outlets and others deemed foreign agents.
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili expressed support for the demonstrators and vowed to veto the legislation.
I stand with you because you are representing today the free Georgia which sees its future in Europe and will not let anyone steal this future, she said in a video from the United States where she is on an official visit.
Nobody has the right to take away your future, she said in the address, with the Statue of Liberty seen in the background.
The US embassy in Georgia called the legislation Kremlin-inspired and said it was incompatible with the country's desire to join the European Union.
Today is a dark day for Georgia's democracy, the embassy said in a statement, adding that the legislation raised questions about the ruling party's commitment to Euro-Atlantic integration.
In Russia, the foreign agent label, which is reminiscent of the term enemies of the people of the Soviet era, has been used extensively by the authorities against political opponents, journalists and human rights activists accused of conducting foreign-funded political activities.
According to recently amended Russian legislation, anyone under foreign influence or receiving support from abroad -- not just foreign money -- can be declared a foreign agent.
- Democratic backsliding -
Georgia applied for EU membership together with Ukraine and Moldova, days after Russia on February 24 invaded Ukraine.
In June last year, EU leaders granted formal candidate status to Kyiv and Chisinau but said Tbilisi must implement a number of reforms first.
Plans to join NATO and the EU are enshrined in Georgia's constitution and, according to opinion polls, are supported by at least 80 percent of the population.
In 2008, Russia and Georgia fought a five-day war but in recent years rights activists have accused the Georgian authorities of drifting towards the Kremlin.
Thousands of Russian men have fled to Georgia after President Vladimir Putin announced a military mobilisation last September.
Initially welcoming, Georgia has over the course of the past year deported a number of Russian activists with opposition views.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has defended his balanced Russia policy as aimed at ensuring peace and stability.
The authorities have also been criticised over the worsening health of the jailed former president Mikheil Saakashvili.
Late last month European Union member states issued a formal diplomatic warning to Georgia's leaders over Saakashvili's health.