Georgia’s ruling party recently passed a controversial “family values” bill that has sparked backlash from rights groups and the European Union. The bill, approved by lawmakers from the ruling Georgian Dream, aims to restrict the rights of LGBTQ+ people and minors. The decision comes just ahead of crucial parliamentary elections in October and is expected to heighten tensions in the country.
The bill, which mirrors legislation in Russia, prohibits the promotion of same-sex relationships and incest in educational institutions and on TV. It also bans gender transition, adoption by LGBTQ+ individuals, and nullifies same-sex marriages conducted abroad. The European Union has criticized the bill as undermining fundamental rights and jeopardizing Georgia’s European integration.
The government’s recent anti-NGO law, along with the passage of the “family values” bill, has drawn condemnation from Western nations. The United States recently imposed sanctions on Georgian officials for human rights abuses during violent responses to protests. Critics argue that Georgian Dream’s shift towards anti-liberal positions is jeopardizing the country’s path to EU membership.