Georgia Tightens Rules for Protests

The "Georgian Dream" is introducing changes to the law that will tighten the conditions for citizens to express their protests. Employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia will be required to warn protesters if the gathering or demonstration takes place in a crowded area where pedestrians are moving (on sidewalks), or if the number of participants is insufficient.

It will also be prohibited to block pedestrian traffic zones with vehicles, various structures, and objects. Organizers will be obliged to notify the Ministry of Internal Affairs if they intend to block part of the road for pedestrians or the traffic area for vehicles.

Notification about the organization and conduct of the gathering or demonstration must be submitted to the Patrol Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia no later than 5 days before each gathering or demonstration.

The "Dream" plans to quickly implement all these changes into the law on "Gatherings and Demonstrations." Changes are also being made to the Code of Administrative Offenses.

According to the same draft, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia will be required to publicly warn citizens within a reasonable timeframe and, in the case of a planned, rather than spontaneous, gathering or demonstration, offer an alternative time, place, or date, "if the Ministry of Internal Affairs decides to make such an offer."

If the number of protesters is insufficient to block the road, the employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs will be obliged to clear the area and reopen it for pedestrians or vehicles.

If a sufficient number of protest participants gather, then, in the case of mass blocking of traffic or roads, an authorized employee of the Ministry of Internal Affairs must address them and warn that if the area blocked for pedestrians or the traffic area for vehicles does not reopen within the next 15 minutes, the action/gathering/protest/demonstration will be considered illegal, and in that case, an early cessation of the gathering-demonstration will be announced, and measures will be taken in accordance with the norms of international law and legislation.