Misplaced Pages

MEGOBARI Act: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editNext edit →Content deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 07:01, 27 December 2024 edit70P53D (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users720 edits →See alsoTag: Visual edit← Previous edit Revision as of 19:24, 27 December 2024 edit undo70P53D (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users720 editsNo edit summaryTags: Visual edit Mobile edit Mobile web edit Advanced mobile editNext edit →
Line 61: Line 61:
}} }}


The '''MEGOBARI Act''' (short for '''Mobilizing and Enhancing Georgia's Options for Building Accountability, Resilience, and Independence Act''') is a proposed ] introduced by bipartisan members of Congress, including ] Chairman Rep. ]. The legislation aims to strengthen democratic practices, human rights, and the rule of law in the ] while countering authoritarian influences, particularly from ].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-24 |title=Wilson, Cohen, Hudson, Veasey Introduce MEGOBARI Act |url=https://joewilson.house.gov/media/press-releases/wilson-cohen-hudson-veasey-introduce-megobari-act |access-date=2024-12-26 |website=Joe Wilson |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Joe Wilson |last2=Steve Cohen |last3=Richard Hudson |last4=Marc Veasey |title=A Bill (MEGOBARI Act) |url=https://www.congress.gov/118/bills/hr8566/BILLS-118hr8566ih.pdf |access-date=26 December 2024 |website=118th United States Congress}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Prince |first=Todd |date=2024-05-23 |title=New U.S. Legislation Aims To Dissuade Democratic Backsliding In Georgia |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/megobari-act-georgia-us-sanctions-georgian-dream/32959477.html |access-date=2024-12-26 |work=] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Beradze |first=Davit |date=2024-05-21 |title=რა არის MEGOBARI Act? • Forbes Georgia |url=https://forbes.ge/ra-aris-megobari-act/ |access-date=2024-12-26 |website=Forbes Georgia |language=ka-ge}}</ref> The '''MEGOBARI Act''' (short for '''Mobilizing and Enhancing Georgia's Options for Building Accountability, Resilience, and Independence Act''') is a proposed ] introduced by bipartisan members of Congress, including ] Chairman Rep. ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sajaia |first=Nana |date=2024-05-23 |title=Rep. Joe Wilson introduces bill to sanction individuals for 'injuring Georgian democracy' |url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/rep-joe-wilson-introduces-bill-sanction-individuals-injuring-georgian-democracy?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR05moF_etW55rXh-fz_tJqJ3M7EQT-2u7TteeCmihN_9VALfd9jDD-k7C4_aem_7O-XgBO4f650lbTeOgQNQw |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=] |language=en-US}}</ref> The legislation aims to strengthen democratic practices, human rights, and the rule of law in the ] while countering authoritarian influences, particularly from ].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-24 |title=Wilson, Cohen, Hudson, Veasey Introduce MEGOBARI Act |url=https://joewilson.house.gov/media/press-releases/wilson-cohen-hudson-veasey-introduce-megobari-act |access-date=2024-12-26 |website=Joe Wilson |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Joe Wilson |last2=Steve Cohen |last3=Richard Hudson |last4=Marc Veasey |title=A Bill (MEGOBARI Act) |url=https://www.congress.gov/118/bills/hr8566/BILLS-118hr8566ih.pdf |access-date=26 December 2024 |website=118th United States Congress}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Prince |first=Todd |date=2024-05-23 |title=New U.S. Legislation Aims To Dissuade Democratic Backsliding In Georgia |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/megobari-act-georgia-us-sanctions-georgian-dream/32959477.html |access-date=2024-12-26 |work=] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Beradze |first=Davit |date=2024-05-21 |title=რა არის MEGOBARI Act? • Forbes Georgia |url=https://forbes.ge/ra-aris-megobari-act/ |access-date=2024-12-26 |website=Forbes Georgia |language=ka-ge}}</ref>


The bill's name, “MEGOBARI,” meaning “friend” in Georgian ({{lang-ka|მეგობარი|tr}}), underscores the strong partnership between the United States and the Georgian people. Chairman Wilson emphasized that the Act reflects the U.S.’s commitment to supporting Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations and ensuring government accountability to its citizens and democratic principles.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last= |date=2024-07-11 |title=The Congressional Foreign Affairs Committee has passed the MEGOBARI Act supporting Georgia's Euro-Atlantic integration. What does it say? |url=https://jam-news.net/megobari-act-on-georgia-by-usa-what-does-it-say/ |access-date=2024-12-26 |website=English JAMnews |language=en-US}}</ref> The bill's name, “MEGOBARI,” meaning “friend” in Georgian ({{lang-ka|მეგობარი|tr}}), underscores the strong partnership between the United States and the Georgian people. Chairman Wilson emphasized that the Act reflects the U.S.’s commitment to supporting Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations and ensuring government accountability to its citizens and democratic principles.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last= |date=2024-07-11 |title=The Congressional Foreign Affairs Committee has passed the MEGOBARI Act supporting Georgia's Euro-Atlantic integration. What does it say? |url=https://jam-news.net/megobari-act-on-georgia-by-usa-what-does-it-say/ |access-date=2024-12-26 |website=English JAMnews |language=en-US}}</ref>

Revision as of 19:24, 27 December 2024

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 118th United States Congress
Sponsored byJoe Wilson (R‑SC)
Number of co-sponsors21
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, including U.S. Helsinki Commission Chairman Rep. Joe Wilson. The legislation aims to strengthen democratic practices, human rights, and the rule of law in the Republic of Georgia while countering authoritarian influences, particularly from Russia.

The bill's name, “MEGOBARI,” meaning “friend” in Georgian (Georgian: მეგობარი, romanized: megobari), underscores the strong partnership between the United States and the Georgian people. Chairman Wilson emphasized that the Act reflects the U.S.’s commitment to supporting Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations and ensuring government accountability to its citizens and democratic principles.

Background

This bill is a legislative response to Georgia’s adoption of the Russian-style “foreign agents” law (“On Transparency of Foreign Influence”) in May 2024. 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.

Provisions

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.

See also

References

  1. Sajaia, Nana (2024-05-23). "Rep. Joe Wilson introduces bill to sanction individuals for 'injuring Georgian democracy'". Fox News. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
  2. "Wilson, Cohen, Hudson, Veasey Introduce MEGOBARI Act". Joe Wilson. 2024-05-24. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  3. Joe Wilson; Steve Cohen; Richard Hudson; Marc Veasey. "A Bill (MEGOBARI Act)" (PDF). 118th United States Congress. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  4. 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.
  5. Beradze, Davit (2024-05-21). "რა არის MEGOBARI Act? • Forbes Georgia". Forbes Georgia (in Georgian). Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  6. ^ "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.
  7. "Congressman Joe Wilson is advancing the MEGOBARI Act targeting anti-democratic actions in Georgia". English JAMnews. 2024-11-23. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  8. ""MEGOBARI Act" Envisages Sanctions for Undermining, Injuring Georgian Democracy". Civil Georgia. 2024-05-27. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  9. "Helsinki Commission issues statement on MEGOBARI Act and its main provisions". Interpressnews. 2024-05-25. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
Category: