The Human Rights Protection Committee of the Parliament supported the planned changes in the “Assemblies and Manifestations” law.

The majority MPs expressed their support unanimously.

Givi Mikanadze, MO from the Georgian Dream, presented the draft law at the committee meeting. As he said, the planned changes don’t prohibit the setting up of tents, but define the specific grounds, in which cases it is prohibited to do so and what specific steps should be taken by the representatives of the law enforcement agency.

"We are not talking about banning peaceful protest, but about improving the norms that should act as a preventive measure. New specific circumstances of risk factors have emerged, which were not only announced, but are being investigated, and today the public is convinced of the goals these people are aiming for in the revolutionary scenario.

An urgent action is necessary. That is why we requested to review the project in an accelerated manner. As a responsible government, we have an obligation to our country and society to protect public safety and public order as much as possible”, - said Givi Mikanadze.

The legislature will review the amendments to the mentioned law in an accelerated manner.

According to the draft, the participants of the assembly / demonstration will be prohibited from setting up temporary constructions if their arrangement: poses a threat to the participants of the assembly / demonstration or other persons; prevents the police from maintaining public order and protection of security; causes disruption of the normal functioning of an enterprise, institution or organization; is not related to the holding of an assembly / demonstration.

As the draft law reads, “in order to avoid distortion of the appearance of the public space”, the participants of the assembly / demonstration are prohibited from setting up a temporary structure if the assembly or demonstration is not significantly hindered without its arrangement.

Violation of these norms will result in confiscation of the object and a fine of GEL 500 or confiscation of the object and administrative imprisonment for up to 15 days, and if the violator is an organizer - confiscation of the object and a fine GEL of 5000 or administrative imprisonment for a term of up to 15 days.