By Lucy Papachristou
TBILISI (Reuters) -A group of non-profit groups in Georgia has condemned a series of amendments proposed by the government that would strengthen punishment for protesters and effectively ban some opposition figures from running for political office.
The ruling Georgian Dream party announced a slate of amendments on Monday to strip “persons associated with a political party violating constitutional principles” of the right to run as candidates in parliamentary elections and to bar them from holding higher office, among other restrictions.
The proposals come as Georgian Dream, in power since 2012, clamps down on opposition figures it accuses of trying to overthrow the government at large rallies earlier this month that culminated in clashes between police and demonstrators.
Georgian Dream has repeatedly said it wants to ban all opposition parties and had pledged to file a constitutional appeal after a municipal election held on October 4.
Authorities have charged five people with attempting to usurp power and arrested dozens more in relation to the October 4 protests.
RELATIONS WITH WEST HAVE SOURED UNDER RULING PARTY
Relations with the West have soured under Georgian Dream, though the party rejects accusations that it is pro-Russian and says it wants to eventually join the EU while retaining what it calls Georgia’s traditional values.
In a joint statement on Tuesday, a group of Georgian non-profits said: “The government is sending the same threat to everyone with these changes: if you speak out, you will be arrested.”
“Such legislation is alien to the democratic world,” the statement cited by the Interpress news agency said.
Many of Georgia’s senior opposition politicians have been imprisoned for failing to appear before a government commission.
Other proposed amendments by the ruling party would increase punishment for blocking roads or setting up barricades at protests to up to 15 days in detention for a first-time offence and up to a year in prison for repeated violations.
(Reporting by Lucy Papachristou; Editing by Bernadette Baum)
