“The initiative to restrict the activities of NGOs is similar to an extract from the Kremlin’s training manual”

US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan believes that the initiative to restrict the activities of NGOs is similar to an extract taken from the Kremlin’s training manual.

Degnan gave a negative assessment to the statement of the members of the parliamentary majority who are members of the Power of the People movement (Sozar Subari, Dmitry Khundadze and others).

Recall that the former members of the Georgian Dream, who united in the People’s Power movement, announced the preparation of a bill to “create a strict legislative framework” for funding NGOs, which they call US agents.

“This [инициатива] really reminds me of an extract from the manual of the Kremlin, because it is not in the interests of Georgia. In my personal experience, what I saw in Georgia, civil society is doing extremely important work, including in many areas, whether it is environmental protection, [оказание] assistance, issues of people with disabilities…,” the diplomat told reporters.

She also recalled those representatives of the current Georgian authorities who started their careers in the non-governmental sector.

“I absolutely do not understand such an attitude towards public organizations, non-governmental organizations, because many members of the ruling party began their careers in non-governmental organizations. They have done a very good job for the development of the country. It is very debilitating when they criticize non-governmental organizations. It will be very regrettable if the voice of the people no longer exists – non-governmental organizations, civil society – this is the voice of the people for a strong and democratic Georgia,” Degnan said.