The Georgian Parliament is moving to fast-track amendments that would change how assemblies and demonstrations are organised. Lawmakers say the goal is to improve public order, while civil society groups warn the measures could limit key democratic freedoms.
The ruling Georgian Dream party has submitted expedited amendments to the Law on Assemblies and Manifestations and the Code of Administrative Offenses, introducing new rules for demonstrations held in areas with pedestrian or vehicle traffic.
The draft would require organisers of non-spontaneous gatherings to notify the Ministry of Internal Affairs five days in advance.
It also gives the ministry broader authority to issue warnings, suggest alternative locations or times, and intervene when protests obstruct movement.
The amendments would prohibit intentionally blocking roads with people, vehicles, or structures unless crowd size makes it unavoidable.
If a protest partially or fully blocks a public road, police could order that route reopened and redirect participants if the demonstration can continue elsewhere.
A new 15-minute warning system would allow authorities to declare a gathering illegal and disperse it if a blockage is not cleared within that timeframe.
Supporters say the changes clarify responsibilities and aim to balance freedom of expression with public safety.
Critics, including opposition parties, rights groups, and constitutional lawyers, argue the measures could raise barriers to peaceful assembly by expanding state discretion, limiting spontaneous protests, and increasing administrative liability.
Human-rights organisations have called for broader consultation and a slower legislative process, warning that the accelerated procedure reduces opportunities for public scrutiny.
Parliament is expected to consider and adopt the amendments in the coming days.
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Tbilisi and Brussels have offered sharply different interpretations of a key meeting on Georgia's visa-free travel arrangements, highlighting the growing divide between the two sides.
Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Georgia signed the Istanbul Declaration on Monday, reaffirming their commitment to stronger regional cooperation, connectivity and stability across the South Caucasus.
A series of signals from Washington, including congressional testimony, a U.S. Embassy statement and a senior diplomat's visit to Tbilisi, has given Georgia's ruling party reason to declare a diplomatic reset. But Washington's message is more nuanced than Tbilisi is suggesting.
Georgian and American law enforcement agencies have dismantled two criminal groups that charged hundreds of Georgians to build fabricated asylum cases for entry into the United States. The arrests came on the same day Washington signalled it was ready to reset relations with Tbilisi.
Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry says 19 citizens have been repatriated following a deadly drone attack on two cargo ships in the Sea of Azov on 5 June.
A Sudanese man has been arrested over a knife attack in Belfast that left a man seriously injured and prompted calls online for a protest after footage of the incident circulated widely on social media.
Iran and Israel said on Monday (8 June) they had halted attacks on each other following an appeal from U.S. President Donald Trump, as Axios reported that Trump had privately told Benjamin Netanyahu “be careful, or you will be on your own very soon”.
Ukraine's military said it struck a Russian "shadow fleet" tanker in the Black Sea as part of ongoing efforts to disrupt Moscow's energy and logistics networks. The move underscores Kyiv's focus on targeting maritime assets it says are used to bypass sanctions on Russian oil exports.
Armenia’s parliamentary election has strengthened Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s mandate, with analysts linking the result to his post-Garabagh agenda and pro-Western direction. However, constitutional constraints remain a key obstacle to peace efforts with Azerbaijan.
Türkiye and Syria plan to increase annual bilateral trade to $5 billion within the next two years, officials from both countries said on Tuesday, as they seek to deepen economic ties and support Syria's recovery.
Uzbekistan plans to create a National Geological Data Bank and expand the use of artificial intelligence (AI) across the mining sector as part of efforts to attract $30 billion in investment by 2030.
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The European Union’s proposed 21st sanctions package against Russia could affect companies in Central Asia, including firms in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, as Brussels moves to tighten controls on sanctions circumvention.
Da Afghanistan Bank, the country's central bank, has discussed expanding banking and trade relations with the Afghanistan–U.S. Joint Chamber of Commerce as the country seeks to strengthen financial services for traders and support private sector growth.
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