Thu Sep 19 07:27:34 UTC 2024: ## EU Condemns Georgia’s Anti-LGBTQ Legislation, Threatening EU Path
**Tbilisi, Georgia** – The European Union’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, has strongly condemned Georgia’s newly passed legislation restricting LGBTQ+ rights and limiting freedom of assembly. The “Family Values” bill, approved by the ruling Georgian Dream party on September 17, bans events promoting LGBTQ+ identities and relationships.
Borrell, in a statement on X, labeled the law a setback for Georgia’s EU aspirations. He urged the Georgian government to revoke the legislation, warning that it will further hinder Georgia’s progress towards EU membership.
The bill has drawn widespread international condemnation, with the United States also voicing concerns and imposing sanctions on Georgian officials deemed to have undermined democracy and human rights.
The legislation has triggered protests in Georgia, with tens of thousands of citizens expressing their opposition. Many view the law as a replica of Russia’s notorious “foreign agent” law, which has been used to silence dissent.
In response to the growing international pressure, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has threatened to revise the country’s relationship with the US if further sanctions are imposed.
The legislation has also led the EU to pause accession negotiations with Georgia, while the US is conducting a comprehensive review of its relationship with the country.
The upcoming October 26 elections in Georgia have become a battleground for the future of the country. President Salome Zurabishvili has framed the election as a choice between aligning with Russia or pursuing European integration.
Despite the international backlash, the Georgian Dream party remains the most popular political force in the country, according to opinion polls. The party’s stance on LGBTQ+ rights and its close ties with Russia are expected to be key issues in the upcoming elections.
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