Georgian parliament toughens rules on street actions

At their extraordinary session, Georgian MPs have passed in the first reading a legislative package, initiated by the party in power and aimed to toughen the rules on holding protest actions.

According to proposed amendments of the Law "On assemblies and Manifestations", a list of administrative and public buildings will be approved, in the vicinity of 20 meters to the entrance of which any rallies and demonstrations will be forbidden.

The amendments also assume a ban on blocking roadways of streets with whatever structures and vehicles. It is prohibited to block highways in the course of actions, except for the cases, when the crowd is too big to stand or move on pavements.

Changes are also planned of the Law "On Police" and Administrative Code. The assume that the police shall have the right to use, under special circumstances, their non-lethal firearms, while the custody term for administrative offences will be increased from 30 to 90 days, the "Interfax" Agency reports.

Practically all the parliamentary oppositionists have voiced against the legislative package; they refused to take part in voting, saying that the amendments were caused by the political situation in the country and will make a large step back in the democratic process, as reported by the "News-Georgia".