OSCE/ODIHR on Monday said it has been preparing a legal opinion on the so-called foreign agents draft law in Georgia to assess its compliance with international standards.

In its tweet, OSCE/ODIHR went on to say that it will cooperate with international partners on this “important work.”

Deeming freedom of expression and association is fundamental to democracy, it stressed that “OSCE countries have committed to adopting legislation through an open and inclusive public consultation process.”

“Associations and their members need to be meaningfully consulted especially when laws affect their work directly, safeguarding their key role in a democratic society,” it added.

Freedom of expression and association are fundamental to #democracy. ODIHR is preparing a legal opinion on the so-called foreign agents draft law in Georgia to assess its compliance with int. standards, & we’ll cooperate with intl. partners on this important work. @Ombudsman_Geo

— OSCE/ODIHR (@osce_odihr) March 6, 2023

For the record, after receiving more than 20% of a certain revenue from abroad, the proposed law on Transparency of Foreign Influence deems media outlets and non-commercial, non-entrepreneurial legal organizations to be agents of foreign influence.

Any natural or legal person that gets funds from abroad would be required to register as a foreign agent, according to the draft bill on the Registration of Foreign Agents. Failing to do so will result in five years of imprisonment.