#NGO for the Disabled Person

[orhcwngo]

Orhcw - Organization for the Disabled Person

ORHCW - Organization for Rehabilitation of Handicapped Children and Women is dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities through advocacy, support, and resources. With a focus on inclusivity and accessibility, Orhcw works to break down barriers and promote equal opportunities for people of all abilities. Through education, awareness campaigns, and community outreach, Orhcw strives to create a more inclusive society where everyone can thrive.

[thedreadvampy]

Ohhhhh my god I'm getting shit from outside the Comms team about not posting anything for black history month last year and I'm like my guy. we are a 200-person organisation with to my knowledge like 2 Black employees? and less than 10 people of colour in paid employment overall? maybe we should get our own fucking house in order before we start distracting from people who are actually doing something useful in the racial justice arena?????

like don't get me wrong overall my organisation does a lot of good work. but both our staff base and to my knowledge (although slightly less) our client base are pretty overwhelmingly white. and that's not a good thing so given that from this position anything we do put out about racial justice is basically hollow posturing with nothing to back it up maybe we should shut the fuck up until we have something of worth to say?

Let's uhhhh. not get on the soapbox about tackling racism when our own racial justice situation is a fucking embarrassment. Edinburgh is pretty white - 91.7% - but our organisation is, at my most generous estimate, more than 95% white people, and I don't think there's a single person of colour at even junior management level. half the people of colour in our organisation work as cafe assistants or PAs for fuck's sake, they're getting paid the bottom of the pay scale, and even with that we can't muster as many as 10 non white employees.

I just. Argh. We can be a voice in the sector on LGBTQ issues, gendered violence, neurodiversity and disability because we are PUTTING THE WORK IN TO IMPROVE ON THESE THINGS. but nothing gets me madder quicker than people thinking all we need to do to be a racially just organisation is to say the right words and post on social media about racism bad. nah man we have to actually back that up by DOING BETTER.

[withbriefthanksgiving]

One of the worst thing about this whole situation as a privileged westerner is seeing white liberals give their stupid fucking explanations.

This on a post about a detained (abducted) Palestinian child by the IOF: “Just remember, there’s probably nothing this kid knows anyway. They’re just convincing him to lie”

What the fuck are you talking about. What the FUCK are you talking about. How is THAT what you take from this? Why is this where your mind goes?? The entire system is violent and illegitimate! There are NO circumstances in which it is ever justified or correct for an occupying military force (or any authorities, let’s be honest!) to detain a child! Especially an indigenous child whose land you are squatting on, poisoning, while you maim, assault, disable and kill his people!! What is wrong with y’all!!

The reaction these kinds of libs always have to these kinds of atrocities is to like search for like a legal reason why the application in this situation in particular was egregious or incorrect. Instead of concluding ‘what the fuck kind of country systemically rounds of up and beats kids and incarcerates them’ their instinct is to almost glide past that, to debate the niceties of it.

It’s as if their minds can’t comprehend seeing a settler state’s authority is illegitimate and wrong in any and all circumstances, and that there would be no correct application of it. It’s as if seeing real violence for what it is, is too painful, for these people. it’s like it slides from their mind is like water off a smooth rock, like magnets repelling each other until it finds - aha! - something familiar it can latch onto, and then we see stupid fucking takes like that.

My mind is still boggling lmao what the fuck bro what the fuck what the fuck what the fuckkkkk.

A fourteen year old child. Was beaten. Blindfolded. Locked up. What else is there even to discuss at this point??? There’s no room for like ‘oh and-‘ like from when you heard the words ‘child’ and ‘detained by IOF’ it should have been enough for the horror of this system to shock and seep into your bones!

I feel like I’m going insane seeing liberal takes to all the various aspects of this genocide and apartheid as they come to light. There is nothing that’s a red line for them. There’s nothing that’s beyond the pale. I don’t get how they’re all going about their days normal. It’s sad, of course - of course! - but you know…

No! I don’t know! I don’t want to know! There is no “but”! I feel like shaking the world. What’s wrong with you all!!

[sristifoundation]

NGO Helping Disabled Persons | Sristi Foundation

Sristi Foundation is a dedicated NGO helping disabled persons achieve independence and inclusion. Our comprehensive programs, advocacy, and support services strive to break barriers and create a more accessible and equitable world. Join us in our mission to uplift and empower disabled individuals.

[sonaidey]

Indian organizations empower persons with disabilities through employment opportunities, skill development, accessible education, advocacy, and awareness campaigns, fostering inclusivity and a brighter future.

[polish-art-tournament]

photography round 1 poll 14

the series Let them see us by Karolina Breguła, 2003 [pictured: example works]:

propaganda: This art was part of a social campaign organised by NGO Kampania Przeciw Homofobii (The Campaign against Homophobia) and featured 30 photographs showing same-sex couples holding hands.

more works in the series here and here

in 2023 the artist made a follow-up project about rainbow families, using ai (so that it wouldnt endanger any real life queer families living in poland)

The Golden Gate Bridge from the Postcards series by Joanna Pawlik, after 2010:

submitted description: a postcard photo showing the artist with their back to the viewer with the golden gate bridge in the background. the artist only has one leg

propaganda: For me the art comments on the inheriant political act that is even just existing in public spaces as a disabled person, so much of society would like to get rid of us, or at least not have to look at this, but this photos scream I am here, to me, and more so; I can go here, I can move as I want and you will not stop me.

[radfemverity]

Tucker Carlson's interview with misogynist, human trafficker and rapist Andrew Tate has been endorsed by Elon Musk, the man who brought Tate among many other reactionary and far-right commentators back to Twitter when he purchased the platform.

There is nothing spontaneous about Musk doing this, and if you're surprised then you're a fool. This has never been about upholding free speech - hence why you've never seen any of these men promote interesting left-wing thinkers.

The ‘SJW’/‘woke’/progressive Left, as unbearably annoying as so many of them are, just keep getting proven right.

They said Nick Fuentes and Kanye were Holocaust-denying anti-semites.

They said Jordan Peterson supported rapists, and didn't believe women should have legal equality.

They said Ben Shapiro and Matt Walsh would use the gender critical movement to blame gay people and women for any and all degeneracies.

They said Tucker Carlson and Elon Musk's recent ‘free speech’ moves were about repositioning themselves so that they could more effectively elevate the voices of overt extremists.

Again and again, their accusations are ageing like fine wine. The reactionary right’s mask is well and fully off.

Andrew Tate, Elon Musk, Tucker Carlson, Jordan Peterson, Ben Shapiro, Matt Walsh, Joe Rogan, Konstantin Kissin, Paul Joseph Watson, Ian Miles Cheong, Andy Ngo, Michael Malice, Elijah Schaffer, Zuby, Milo Yionnopoulous, Tommy Robinson, Nick Fuentes, Kanye West, Donald Trump… obviously some of these men could dislike each other, I can't imagine Shapiro and Fuentes at the same house party.

But their ideal societies don't look too different. None of these mens’ do. Because any racial, religious or ethnic prejudices they have against each other will come second to their common-ground.

The organised reaction against this brand of progressivism that has rapidly come to monopolise every sector of public life in the last 10 years, is well and truly underway. Musk, Carlson and Tate have given us the sign. And while I pretty heavily dislike the current ‘woke’ progressive ideology (and have a lot of questions about its top-down cultural spread), I'm scared of these guys way more. And if you're anything but a straight man who doesn’t care about any demographic besides straight men, you should be too.

The reason I say ‘straight men’ and not ‘straight white men’ is because, come on, the reactionary right is more racially diverse than most left-wing groups at this point. 😂😂 White nationalists the world over have bent the knee to a mixed-race man who admitted moving to an Eastern European country because of their more lax laws on sexual assault, and in turn, the ease he would have in exploiting the local women in the country’s already active sex-trafficking trade.

White nationalists (whose role in the reactionary right cannot be discarded any more, after Trump and Kanye had a personal dinner with Nick Fuentes) feel more of an affiliation with a non-white, human trafficking violent rapist, despite evidence of his crimes having been public for a while now, than they do with his WHITE victims.

Jordan Peterson, whose daughter has revolved her entire public image around him, who works with and for him, and whose lingerie photographs were retweeted by him, made a dogwhistle in May about women having their right to vote retracted.

Examples of men devaluing the contributions and rights of the women in their families, communities and wider societies are withstanding the test of time, over and over again, because no matter where in the world they are, and no matter what tensions the different religions, cultures, ethnicities and races of men have with each other, there are traits that unite them all. Misogyny is the most obvious one.

The men of these diverse, far-reaching societies, in many ways feel far more of a kinship to each other, than they do to any woman, girl, gay person, disabled person, mother, child, or any other demographic.

The pendulum always swings back, and now that we know these men have got the owner of the world's biggest social media platform on their side, that is a major sign it could be coming soon. Be on guard and look after each other gyns ❤️

[mariacallous]

The Women’s Network of Croatia and other women’s associations held press conferences in 15 cities on Friday ahead of the National Day of Combating Violence Against Women to draw attention to what they described as the lenient treatment of rape and femicide offenders.

They demanded a transparent trial and appropriate punishment for the killer of 21-year-old Mihaela Berak, who was shot dead in the city of Osijek in eastern Croatia a year ago.

The trial of police officer Marko Smazil, in whose apartment Berak was killed, is being held behind closed doors.

Maja Celing Celic of the Adele association, an NGO dealing with women’s rights, told a press conference in Osijek that the trial is closed to the public due to the alleged intimate relationship between the victim and the killer.

But Celing Celic said that jealousy and feelings of revenge should not be used as excuses in the trial. “None of this can be a mitigating circumstance for the murder,” she said.

Friday’s multi-city campaign action was held under the slogan “Stop protecting rapists and abusers”.

Campaigners also called for a just conclusion to the trial of a gynaecologist from the Osijek Clinical Hospital Centre, identified by the court under the initials Z.T., who was convicted under a first-instance verdict of raping a patient, but continued to work in the hospital for months after that.

The defendant is appealing against the conviction and claiming innocence.

Sanja Kastratovic of Adele told the press conference that the Osijek Clinical Hospital Centre’s management did not initiate any procedure to distance the accused from women, while the Croatian Medical Chamber suspended the disciplinary proceedings against him.

The gynaecologist was arrested again on Monday after another patient reported him for allegedly committing lewd acts.

“The system started functioning only after the media got involved,” said Kastratovic.

Adele called for the resignation of the director of the Osijek Clinical Hospital Centre and the minister of health.

Kastratovic also cited a verdict at the Municipal Court in Osijek, where three men, one of whom is a policeman, were sentenced to two years in prison for the rape of a girl with mental disabilities.

The court took into account as mitigating circumstances the fact that they were participants in the 1990s ‘Homeland War’ and were decorated for their service.

“The mitigating circumstances cast a shadow over Croatia, on the Croatian police and on Croatian veterans, because they are being used to create a class of people who are allowed to commit rape and serve [only] two years in prison,” Kastratovic told BIRN.

Adele is also demanding changes to the Law on Healthcare that would oblige the directors of healthcare institutions to temporarily suspend a person who is being prosecuted for sexual crimes.

On Sunday, the National Day of Combating Violence Against Women, a Women’s Long March will be held in Osijek – a protest calling for the protection of women from violence and the defence of their rights.

[the-garbanzo-annex-jr]

The Palestinian Center of Human Rights is a respected organization by the human rights community. 

It is also insanely antisemitic.

The headline of a news release this week says, "Latest Israeli Displacement Orders Further Prove Their Genocidal Nature.

The very things the IDF does to avoid civilian casualties in order to get to Hamas targets hidden in civilian areas are being viewed as evidence of genocide!

The press release says this statement that no sane person could write: "The establishment of these so-called ‘humanitarian safe zones’ reveals a genocidal pattern designed to forcibly displace Palestinians to areas lacking essential services necessary for their survival. "

If the IDF wanted them dead, why spend the time and effort and resources to ask them (not force them) to leave?

That's not even the only example in this very press release of interpreting Israeli actions to save Gazan lives as genocidal.

Israel has been working hard with UNICEF and WHO to bring polio vaccines into Gaza, a complex undertaking to do safely. Over 1.2 million doses have been imported. The entire operation is complicated by the fact that thse vaccines must be kept cool, so appropriate cooling equipment must also be brought in and there must be assurance that they will work during power outages. The entire operation so far has been accomplished in only a couple of weeks.

Israel has also appointed a brigadier general whose only job is to coordinate with international organizations for aid delivery and distribution into Gaza. I'm pretty sure that no army in history has ever done so much to ensure aid to the enemy's side.

But here is how PCHR reports it:

The delay in the vaccination campaign due to Israel’s displacement orders highlights a trend of weaponizing previously eradicated, highly infectious diseases as a tool of genocide. This strategy deliberately uses such diseases to inflict permanent disability or death on Palestinian residents of Gaza.

This is simply a 21st  century update of the Black Death blood libel against Jews. 

It isn't coming from neo-Nazis but from a respected human rights organization - one that partners with Amnesty and HRW, among others, and whose reports are trusted by those organizations as well as the UN.

To PCHR and other "human rights" NGOs, the idea that Israeli Jews are immoral, homicidal maniacs is the first principle from which these organizations interpret everything else. Once the idea that Jews are the worst people is established, then any counter-evidence becomes, instead, evidence of the  truth of their antisemitic conspiracy theories.

[viktortittiforov]

✨ help a queer disabled creature out ✨

hiii! this is my first time making one of these so i don't really know what i'm doing but please bear with me!!

my name is neptune and i'm queer and disabled. i have ADHD, depression+anxiety and a chronic eye condition that leaves me with only one seeing eye (and with high eye pressure in my blind eye, which is occasionally painful and gives me headaches). i am also trans and currently pursuing HRT, which where i'm from means i first have to travel all over the country to a bunch of different specialists who need to determine whether i am Transsexual™ enough (which costs money).

i am employed, but i work at an NGO, which, coupled with the fact that i can't work there full-time due to my disabilities, means i'm basically making a little above my country's minimum wage (converted to USD – i'm from central-eastern europe – i make roughly $810/month after tax). nearly half of my monthly income goes towards my rent, and this makes it very hard for me to save up money, especially given the so-called ADHD tax (look it up if you haven't heard of it).

as you can probably imagine, this is very stressful. i am privileged in that i am not in an immediately dire financial situation and have a solid support network, unlike a lot of other people on here. however, i live with constant financial anxiety. i have no safety cushion with which to cover longer periods of potential illness/recovery (e.g. after top surgery, which i might want), potential health emergencies of my two beloved cats (one of whom is a senior cat), or unexpected household expenses. i also have very little disposable income, which is not immediately a disaster, but which has gotten me into a difficult situation.

you see, one of the ways i can sustainably supplement my income is freelance photography and i would really benefit from making that a more regular thing. currently, however, the only camera i have at my disposal is a second-hand beginner level DSLR i got back in 2019, which is really beginning to struggle to keep up. this means i could really use a new camera so that i can take better photos and increase the chance of someone wanting to hire me. but cameras are expensive and there's no way i could comfortably afford even another second-hand one (the cost of a decent second-hand camera would be around $850).

sooo. i thought i could try my luck here? i'm not asking for any specific target amount and i will be happy for any help, no matter how small. i understand if you'd rather help out those who need it more urgently though! i know many of us hardly have the means to help even those.

if you do happen to have some spare change, though, here is my paypal. i'll be forever grateful!

thanks for reading 💜 adding a photo of me and my cats so you know i'm a real person i guess?

[orhcwngo]

Orhcw Working for Person with Disabilities

Orhcw assists individuals with disabilities in achieving greater independence and improving their quality of life. They work under the supervision of occupational therapists, implementing therapeutic interventions tailored to each client's needs. Responsibilities include aiding in rehabilitation exercises, teaching adaptive techniques, and facilitating skill development to enhance daily functioning. Orhcw provide vital support, fostering autonomy and participation in meaningful activities for individuals with disabilities.

[iampikachuhearmeroar]

"nObOdY wAnTs To WoRk AnYmOrE!!!!" well, here's some snippets of the apparent numbers of applicants on seek, for jobs that i've applied to in the last few months, up to just this week:

to be an HR advisor officer in a call centre in sydney (i received the rejection email for this yesterday (23/8/24) morning like considering i applied 2 weeks late, yeah that's fair lol):

to be an HR coordinator, (employee experience) for another company in sydney:

to be a hub concierge at my local area's homelessness specialist services hub (i only applied for this to get ONE of my qualifications to ACTUALLY be useful- ie my certificate IV in housing):

a customer support and sales position at a local branch of a multinational logistics company:

a client administrator/coordinator role at a local aged care provider:

an HR admin position at some type of tech or finance firm where i am:

an admin support position for a local job provider program or something:

being a housing officer/community housing worker, again in sydney (and to use my cert IV in housing):

a scheduling and rostering position at a local aged care service:

being a support coordinator trainee at a local NDIS (aussie national disability insurance scheme) provider:

being a receptionist + administration assistant at a local real estate agent:

most of these i just got a "unlikely to progress" through seek, or outright ghosted. some of them did give me the auto reject email or an email from a person for rejection. but with these numbers..... how the fuck do you think people are ACTUALLY GETTING jobs????

and mind you, this is ONLY seek (which is a big job board in australia and NZ). I have NO idea the amount of applications these places ALSO HAVE across other platforms such as indeed, jora, adzuna, ethicaljobs (for the NGO/charity etc sectors for the jobs in housing or disability support jobs etc), the dreaded linkedin AND all the other job sites.... and actual employer sites that I've applied on directly. (except for the dept of communities and justice (dcj) housing officer job that I had an info session for just on wednesday this last week.... where there were 120 other applicants in there with me, but STATEWIDE [bc it's the new south wales gov housing dept homes nsw]). but yeah. fuck off with the "nobody wants to work anymore" bs.

[zettelkaestchen]

I bet she also has fans who are BIPOC, migrants (especially without legal documents), Jewish, Muslim, Atheists, disabled, fat, chronically ill, member of a workers union, homeless, poor, drug users, working at (not right wing) NGOs, (cis) queer, gender nonconforming…

They might not be the outspoken targets of GOP hate propaganda now, but if you look into fascist and authoritarian politics worldwide they all and perhaps more groups could easily become one. Even if they currently think "This won't affect me personally, I'm safe."

This is an excellent response

[jaagrukbharat]

Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme: Eligibility, Benefits, And Application Process

DeenDayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme is an important govt scheme aimed at fostering empowerment among disabled persons. Launched in 1999 and remodelled in 2003, this comprehensive scheme DeenDayal disabled rehabilitation scheme provides a framework for giving financial and logistical support to NGOs working in the field of disability rehabilitation.

[openhandshds]

What is NDIS Short Term Accommodation?

NDIS short term accommodation is one of the most misunderstood parts of the scheme. But with some careful planning and clear communication, it can be a smooth experience for everyone involved.

STA is often used for respite care, and to offer breaks for participants when their usual support network can’t be there. It can also be a great way to try out new experiences and explore interests.

What is NDIS short term accommodation?

NDIS short term accommodation is temporary respite care that allows participants to take a break from their usual carers or enjoy a change of scenery in a safe and comfortable setting. Usually, these stays last up to 14 days at a time and include a range of support services in the home away from home.

These supports are all person-centred and directly related to the participant’s disability. This can be in the form of holiday accommodations, retreats, camp experiences or workshops. It can also be a way to get out and experience different activities with friends or family.

When choosing your NDIS short term accommodation, it’s important to pay attention to the details. Look for a provider that is registered with the NDIS and offers comprehensive services. You should also consider things like safety, staffing and location. Then, you can make an informed decision that is right for you. You can even schedule a tour of the facility to ensure it meets your expectations.

How does NDIS short term accommodation benefit my NDIS plan?

NDIS short term accommodation is an essential support for participants who need a change of scenery or a break from their carers. It can be provided in a range of settings, from specialised respite accommodation to community group homes. It’s a great way to try out different care options and find the right fit for you or your loved one.

NDIS Short Term Accommodation funding can be found under ‘Core Supports’ in your plan, and it is always a good idea to discuss the specifics of this support with your local area coordinator or NDIS planner. This will ensure that your STA supports are a good fit for you and reflect the goals in your NDIS plan.

STA is also a valuable support for participants who are self-managed or plan-managed. STA funds can be used to pay for accommodation, personal care, and meals for a short stay away from home. However, it’s important to remember that STA funding is limited, and thorough planning will maximise your benefits.

How can I find NDIS short term accommodation?

NDIS short term accommodation can be a great way to get the support you need. If you’re thinking about getting this type of support, be sure to consult with your NDIS plan manager or planner. They can help you understand what your entitlements are and recommend good providers.

NDIS Short Term Accommodation (STA) or respite care is a person-centred service that allows participants to live away from home for a period of time. It gives informal supports and carers a break while also allowing participants to explore new experiences, develop daily living skills, and grow their independence.

Finding the right provider for you can be a challenge, but it’s important to do your research. Contacting your NDIS support coordinator or LAC, conducting online research, checking with local disability NGOs and charities, and visiting potential options are all effective ways to find the right fit. With careful planning, you can enjoy a safe, affordable, and comfortable stay.

What are the benefits of NDIS short term accommodation for caregivers?

NDIS short term accommodation, or respite care as it’s also known, offers a range of life-enriching benefits for both participants and their caregivers. These include a safe and supportive environment, social engagement opportunities, skill development and respite from the demands of everyday life.

NDIS Short Accomodation gives participants a chance to try new things, experience a change of scenery, and learn skills in a safe environment with professional support. This enables participants to build independence, which in turn helps carers recharge. When caregivers are refreshed, they can provide better support, resulting in a positive cycle of wellbeing for everyone.

For people who are waiting on their NDIS funding to be approved, looking to test out independent living temporarily or in need of a break from their usual daily routine, NDIS short term accommodation is an ideal option. Contact United for Care today to see if STA is right for you. There are no set eligibility criteria, but the primary factor is your need for a temporary change of scene and respite.

[mariacallous]

A video of a woman defiantly waving a blue and gold EU flag in the face of police water cannons went viral on Tuesday as thousands of people took to the streets of the capital of Tbilisi, Georgia, to protest a proposed new law that critics say closely models Russian legislation used to crack down on independent media and civil society.

The country’s Parliament green lit a new law on Tuesday that would require all nonprofit and media organizations that receive more than 20 percent of their funding from abroad to register as so-called foreign agents. Civil society organizations and Western governments have condemned the law over concerns that it could stifle freedom of expression in a country once considered to be a rare beacon of democracy in Russia’s backyard.

Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili has vowed to veto the legislation, describing it as a law that “nobody needs and that has been initiated out of nowhere, if not from some directives from Moscow.”

Similarities to Russia’s law on foreign agents have caused significant disquiet in a country that was invaded by Russia in 2008 and where public support for EU and NATO membership remains high at 75 percent and 69 percent, respectively, according to recent polling. While support for Western integration among the Georgian people remains high, recent political crises and the Georgian Dream-led government’s antagonistic relationship with Ukraine since the Russian invasion has sparked concerns of a tilt toward Moscow.

The Russian law, passed in 2012, forced a significant number of civil society groups to shut down, according to Human Rights Watch, and in 2021 was used as a pretext to close Russia’s most celebrated human rights watchdog Memorial, a laureate of last year’s Nobel Peace Prize.

“The whole society united [in] really pushing back this law because we know what happened in Russia,” said Eka Gigauri, executive director of Transparency International Georgia. “There is war in Ukraine, but we also have war with Russian type of rule here,” she said.

Georgia’s democratic gains have been gradually hollowed out in recent years amid concerns that checks and balances on government power have been eroded and that powerful institutions of the state are increasingly beholden to billionaire oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, who founded the ruling Georgian Dream political party. While Ivanishvili holds no formal position in government, he is widely regarded as wielding significant influence from behind the scenes. But even by recent standards, adoption of the so-called foreign agents law would represent a dramatic step backward, giving the authorities broad powers to harass and potentially silence the country’s vibrant civil society.

The proposed law also comes as former President Mikheil Saakashvili remains in prison and is reported to be in poor health. The polarizing former leader, who pursued an ambitious program of reforms following the 2003 Rose Revolution, is serving a six-year prison sentence after being convicted of abuse of power stemming from his time in office.

Last week, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International issued a joint statement urging the government to consider releasing Saakashvili on medical grounds, warning that the denial of adequate health care placed him at “grave risk of death, permanent disability, or other irreversible damage to his health.”

Several months before the law was proposed by People’s Power, a small anti-Western party in the Georgian Parliament, there was a significant uptick in stories attacking the work of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in media considered to be supportive of the Georgian government, accusing the groups of receiving large sums of money from Western governments and working to undermine Georgian interests, said Gigauri, who has been personally singled out by some of the reports.

“After they thought that they had already discredited our image, then they tried to push this legislation,” said Nino Dolidze, executive director of the International Society of Fair Elections and Democracy, a Georgian election monitoring organization. “We can assume that of course they [the government] would like to adopt this legislation to become law, but they are looking at how society reacts,” Dolidze said.

In light of the public outcry, the Georgian government on Wednesday sent the proposal for review to the Venice Commission, an independent advisory body to the Council of Europe that provides legal advice to member states. The bill requires two further hearings by Parliament before it can become law.

“The final form of the law will depend on the opinion of the Venice Commission and the consideration of the law in the second reading in the Parliament,” Georgian Dream Chairman Irakli Kobakhidze said on Wednesday. “There was a campaign based on lies that it was a Russian law, which is a lie. It was said that this document distances us from the [European Union] candidate status, which is also a lie,” he added.

The Georgian Dream has sought to justify the law, comparing it to the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act, which requires lobbyists acting on behalf of foreign governments to publicly disclose their ties. U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, described comparisons between the U.S. and Georgian laws as “absolutely false.” Shaheen, who visited Georgia in February, described the proposed Georgian legislation as “very similar, almost exactly, to the law that Russia passed when they started cracking down on the media and NGOs in Russia, and that’s exactly what Georgia is planning to do.”

If passed, the foreign agents law would apply to a broad spectrum of the country’s civil society organizations and independent media, many of which are dependent on foreign grants for their survival. An analysis by the U.S.-based International Center for Not-for-Profit Law and the European Center for Not-for-Profit Law notes that, if passed, the law would impose burdensome reporting requirements on organizations that receive foreign funding and introduce steep penalties for those who fail to comply. A similar assessment by Transparency International Georgia noted that the term “foreign agents” risks stigmatizing civil society. “It creates the impression that the corresponding organizations are either ‘spies,’ ‘traitors’ or ‘under foreign control,’” the assessment said.

The timing behind the proposed bill remains unclear. One possible explanation is that the Georgian Dream is seeking to consolidate power and stifle dissent, Dolidze said. The move comes ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled to take place next year under a new system of proportional representation, which is expected to make it more challenging for an individual party to secure a majority in Parliament. Another theory is that the Georgian Dream is quietly trying to sabotage the country’s prospects of joining the European Union, Gigauri said. In 2021, Hungary was forced to quash a similar foreign agents law after the European Court of Justice found the legislation to be discriminatory and imposed “unjustified restrictions” on affected organizations.

Last year, the EU granted candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova but deferred extending the designation to Georgia, noting that further reforms on rule of law, the independence of the media, and the independence of the judiciary were required.

On Tuesday, EU foreign-policy chief Josep Borrell described the draft law as “incompatible with EU values and standards.”

In a press briefing last week, U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price underscored American concerns about the law’s impact on freedom of speech and democracy in Georgia. “Anyone voting for this draft legislation would be responsible for potentially jeopardizing Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic future,” he said.

The country’s civil society leaders view the law in similar terms.

“It’s about this country and the quality of democracy of this country,” Gigauri said. “It’s also about where the country is going. And it definitely does not go in the right direction,” she said.

Update, March 9, 2023: On Thursday, the Georgian Dream announced that it was unconditionally scrapping the bill after two nights of violent street protests in Tbilisi. The party acknowledged public outrage over the proposed law and blamed a “machine of lies” for misleading the public about the nature of the legislation.