Civil Society Must Be Equipped to Survive and Resist Foreign Agents Laws
// Márta Pardavi
The proliferation of Russian-style “foreign agents” laws has emerged as a striking symptom of declines in democracy and the rule of law in a variety of countries and regions over the last several years. Given the existential threat that “foreign agents” laws pose to civil society and democracy more broadly, prodemocracy groups must develop innovative strategies to protect civic freedoms and mitigate the risks of a worsening operating environment.
“Civil Society Must Be Equipped to Survive and Resist Foreign Agents Laws” authored by Márta Pardavi is an essay produced by the National Endowment for Democracy’s International Forum for Democratic Studies.
Russian-Style “Foreign Agents” Laws Signal a Rejection of Democratic Principles
// Kirill Koroteev
Since Russia adopted its law regulating the activities of “foreign agents” in 2012, a growing number of countries in the region have followed suit. International civil society groups and human rights institutions have expressed concern or suggested minor amendments, but they may be missing the bigger picture: the basic rationale behind these laws is that governments should not be subject to such scrutiny and accountability. In fact, if there is a “foreign agents” law in your country modeled on Russia’s law, it may already be too late to act.
“Russian-Style ‘Foreign Agents’ Laws Signal a Rejection of Democratic Principles” authored by Kirill Koroteev is an essay produced by the National Endowment for Democracy’s International Forum for Democratic Studies.
Lessons Learned from Georgian Civil Society’s Response to a Repressive “Foreign Agents” Law: A Conversation with Tinatin Khidasheli
On March 29, 2024, Tinatin Khidasheli, chairperson of the Tbilisi-based NGO Civic Initiative for Democratic and Euro-Atlantic Choice (Civic IDEA), joined Christopher Walker, vice president for studies and analysis at the National Endowment for Democracy, to discuss laws and narratives that ostensibly combat “foreign influence” but, in practice, have the effect of restricting fundamental freedoms and civic space. They unpack how Georgian society mobilized in 2023 to resist the adoption of the restrictive law and what lessons this holds for those who want to push back against weaponized narratives and restrictive foreign influence laws elsewhere.
“Lessons Learned from Georgian Civil Society’s Response to a Repressive ‘Foreign Agents’ Law: A Conversation with Tinatin Khidasheli” is a podcast produced by the National Endowment for Democracy’s International Forum for Democratic Studies.
