On 17 September 2024, the Georgian Parliament adopted the law "On Family Values and Protection of Minors" in its third and final reading.

This legislative act, introduced by the ruling Georgian Dream party, has caused significant resonance both within the country and on the international arena, especially in the context of Georgia’s aspirations for European integration.

Key provisions of the law

The new law establishes a number of restrictions aimed at “protecting traditional family values”:

• Ban on same-sex marriages
• Prohibition of child adoption by same-sex couples
• Ban on gender reassignment surgeries
• Prohibition of “LGBTIQ+ propaganda” in educational institutions and media
• Ban on public gatherings (rallies or marches) aimed at “promoting” LGBTIQ+

Violations of these norms are punishable by fines, professional bans, and in some cases, imprisonment.

Political context

The adoption of this law comes at a difficult time for Georgia. The country, which officially aspires to join the European Union, is simultaneously demonstrating trends that contradict European values and principles. Previously, Georgia had already passed a law on “foreign agents”, which also drew criticism from the EU and human rights organisations.

Experts see these legislative initiatives as an attempt by the ruling party to garner support from the conservative-minded electorate ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for October 2024. Kornely Kakachia, Professor of Political Science and Director of the Georgian Institute of Politics, notes:

Public sentiment

Georgian society is traditionally considered conservative, and LGBTIQ+ rights issues often cause controversy and tension. According to a 2022 UN Women survey, about 56% of Georgian respondents believed that the rights of the LGBTIQ community should be respected, but “its members should not impose their lifestyle on others”.

The Georgian Orthodox Church plays an important role in shaping public opinion, having significant influence on both society and the country’s politics. This creates a difficult situation for the opposition, which finds itself in a dilemma: criticise the law and risk losing support from the conservative electorate, or support it, deviating from the pro-European course.

International reaction

The European Union reacted to the adoption of the law with deep concern. In a statement, the EU’s foreign policy service expressed regret that “legislation with important implications for European integration was adopted without proper public consultation and careful analysis of its compliance with European and international standards”.

The EU emphasises that this law undermines the fundamental rights of the Georgian people and may lead to further stigmatisation and discrimination against part of the population. It is particularly emphasised that ensuring and respecting human rights is at the core of the EU accession process.

Parallels with Russian legislation

Experts and human rights defenders point out the similarity of the Georgian law to similar legislative acts adopted in Russia. Paata Zakareishvili, former Georgian State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality, directly called this law “Russian”:

Conclusions and prospects

The adoption of the law “On Family Values and Protection of Minors” puts Georgia in a difficult position. On the one hand, the country aspires to European integration and has candidate status for EU membership. On the other hand, it adopts legislation that contradicts European values and principles of human rights protection.

This law is a vivid example of how Russia consistently tries to destroy human rights not only in its own country but also beyond its borders. Using conservative sentiments in society and playing on internal political contradictions, Russia is effectively exporting its model of restricting rights and freedoms. This indicates that Russia is waging a war not only against Ukraine but also against democracy and universal human values on a global scale.

Georgia finds itself at a crossroads between its Euro-integration aspirations and conservative trends in society. The adoption of this law could become a serious obstacle to the country’s path to the EU and potentially lead to international isolation.

It is critically important for Georgia to find a balance between preserving national identity and adhering to international standards in the field of human rights.

Ultimately, Georgia’s future will depend on the ability of its political elite and society to withstand external influences, particularly Russian, and make a conscious choice in favour of democratic values. However, for now, a conscious choice has not been made.