Jump to content

MEGOBARI Act

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
MEGOBARI Act
Great Seal of the United States
Other short titlesMEGOBARI Act
Long titleMobilizing and Enhancing Georgia's Options for Building Accountability, Resilience, and Independence Act
Announced inthe 119th United States Congress
Sponsored byJoe Wilson (R‑SC)
Number of co-sponsors18
Legislative history

The MEGOBARI Act (short for Mobilizing and Enhancing Georgia's Options for Building Accountability, Resilience, and Independence Act) is a proposed United States federal law introduced by bipartisan members of Congress[a], including U.S. Helsinki Commission Chairman Rep. Joe Wilson.[2] The legislation aims to strengthen democratic practices, human rights, and the rule of law in Georgia while countering authoritarian influences, particularly from Russia, as well as China and Iran.[3][4][5][6]

The bill's name, "MEGOBARI", meaning "friend" in Georgian (Georgian: მეგობარი, romanized: megobari), aims to describe a strong partnership between the United States and the Georgian people. Chairman Wilson stated that the act reflects the US commitment to supporting Georgia's Euro-Atlantic aspirations and ensuring government accountability to its citizens and democratic principles.[7]

Background

[edit]

This bill is a legislative response to Georgia's adoption of the Russian-style "foreign agents" law ("On Transparency of Foreign Influence"), the mass protests that followed in May 2024, the wave of protests, crackdowns, and political repressions in 2025, and the undemocratic conduct of the 2024 parliamentary elections.[8] The proposed bill calls for a comprehensive review of U.S.-Georgia relations, support for the Georgian people's pro-Western aspirations, and accountability for individuals involved in anti-democratic actions in the country, including members of the ruling Georgian Dream party.[9]

The bill was initially introduced on May 24, 2024, during the 118th United States Congress, and was later reintroduced on January 3, 2025, in the 119th Congress.[10]

The Parliament of Georgia[b] issued a statement on May 14, 2025, condemning the U.S. House of Representatives' adoption of the "so-called MEGOBARI Act" on May 5, 2025, calling it "deeply hostile toward the Georgian state, people, and elected authorities".The statement rejects the Act’s three main claims: that Georgia is experiencing democratic backsliding, obstructing Euro-Atlantic integration, and forming inappropriate ties with Russia, China, and Iran, dismissing them as false. It also criticizes the Act as biased, factually inaccurate, and logically flawed, but adds that Georgia will still respond to its accusations with facts.[15][16]

Provisions

[edit]
The bill introduced to the House in May 2025

If the bill is passed, the U.S. Secretary of State, in consultation with relevant government agencies, will have 60 days to identify individuals in the Georgian government, its affiliates, or those with significant influence over its actions who are materially responsible for undermining democracy, human rights, or security in Georgia. Sanctions against such individuals could include measures under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, as well as those authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023. Visa bans may also be applied to the individuals and their families. The focus will be on those involved in the advocacy, passage, or enforcement of the Russian-style foreign agent legislation, or those in leadership roles who promote such laws or suppress lawful opposition. The secretary of state is required to report to Congress within 90 days, providing an unclassified summary for public release.

The bill also mandates a report on improper influence and sanctions evasion in Georgia, to be prepared within 60 days by the secretary of state in coordination with the treasury secretary. This report will analyze corruption and elite networks that serve Russian interests, knowingly or otherwise, as well as Georgia's role in enabling the evasion of international sanctions against Russia. A separate report on Russian intelligence penetration in Georgia, including potential intersections with Chinese influence, is also required within 90 days.

To strengthen democratic processes, the bill tasks the secretary of state and USAID with establishing a democracy monitoring task force to assess and promote a fair pre-election environment in Georgia. Further U.S. support will depend on certification by the president or secretary of state that Georgia has made significant and sustained democratic progress, evidenced by fair elections and balanced pre-election conditions. Upon certification, the U.S. Trade Representative may begin negotiations for a preferential trade regime. Additionally, the U.S. will enhance academic exchanges, visa liberalization, and economic modernization efforts, coordinated with international partners. In terms of security, the president, in consultation with the secretary of defense, will prepare a package of defense equipment and support tailored to counter Russian aggression, ensuring Georgia's territorial defense capabilities are strengthened. This bill reflects a comprehensive effort to support Georgia's democratic development and counter authoritarian influences.[17][18][7]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Joe Wilson (R‑SC), Steve Cohen (D‑TN), Richard Hudson (R‑NC), Marc Veasey (D‑TX).[1]
  2. ^ As result of the 2024 Georgian parliamentary election and the subsequent constitutional crisis, key political positions and the legitimacy of Georgia's parliament have been disputed. Opposition forces have contested the legitimacy of Mikheil Kavelashvili, and the outgoing president Salome Zourabichvili has claimed to continue to be legitimate president.[11][12][13] Also, international platforms have disputed the legitimacy of the de facto Georgian authorities after the 2024 elections, including the European Parliament.[14]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Congressmen Wilson, Cohen, Hudson, Veasey Re-Introduce MEGOBARI Act". joewilson.house.gov. 2025-01-03. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
  2. ^ Sajaia, Nana (2024-05-23). "Rep. Joe Wilson introduces bill to sanction individuals for 'injuring Georgian democracy'". Fox News. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
  3. ^ "Wilson, Cohen, Hudson, Veasey Introduce MEGOBARI Act". Joe Wilson. 2024-05-24. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  4. ^ Joe Wilson; Steve Cohen; Richard Hudson; Marc Veasey. "A Bill (MEGOBARI Act)" (PDF). 118th United States Congress. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  5. ^ Prince, Todd (2024-05-23). "New U.S. Legislation Aims To Dissuade Democratic Backsliding In Georgia". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  6. ^ Beradze, Davit (2024-05-21). "რა არის MEGOBARI Act? • Forbes Georgia". Forbes Georgia (in Georgian). Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  7. ^ a b "The Congressional Foreign Affairs Committee has passed the MEGOBARI Act supporting Georgia's Euro-Atlantic integration. What does it say?". English JAMnews. 2024-07-11. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  8. ^ "Congressman John Olszewski: The "MEGOBARI Act" is a response to the deteriorating democratic situation in Georgia – it shows the Georgian people that we stand with them in their pursuit of democracy". Interpressnews. 2025-05-06. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
  9. ^ "Congressman Joe Wilson is advancing the MEGOBARI Act targeting anti-democratic actions in Georgia". English JAMnews. 2024-11-23. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  10. ^ "U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Passes MEGOBARI Act". Civil Georgia. 2025-03-27. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
  11. ^ "Georgia's outgoing president Salome Zourabichvili refuses to quit as successor Mikheil Kavelashvili sworn in". BBC News. 2024-12-29. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
  12. ^ "Showdown in Georgia as pro-EU president refuses to step down". POLITICO. 2024-12-28. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
  13. ^ Chrisafis, Angelique (2024-12-29). "Georgia's pro-west president says she remains 'only legitimate president' as new leader sworn in". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
  14. ^ "MEPs: Georgia's self-proclaimed authorities have no legitimacy". European Parliament. 2025-02-13. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
  15. ^ "Georgian Parliament passes unanimous statement condemning MEGOBARI Act". 1TV. 2025-05-14. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
  16. ^ "This is a hostile document" — statement from the Georgian Dream-led parliament in response to the U.S. MEGOBARI Act". JAMnews. 2025-05-14. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
  17. ^ ""MEGOBARI Act" Envisages Sanctions for Undermining, Injuring Georgian Democracy". Civil Georgia. 2024-05-27. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  18. ^ "Helsinki Commission issues statement on MEGOBARI Act and its main provisions". Interpressnews. 2024-05-25. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=MEGOBARI_Act&oldid=1291123354"