Speaker of the Georgian Parliament responds to the Venice Commission`s [VC] publication of its opinion on Georgia`s laws concerning foreign agent registration and grants.

"Previously, the VC had clear legal opinions, and we have seen for several years now that these are political conclusions, political reports. This report is the best example that the VC has become a compiler of political conclusions rather than legal ones.

For instance, when they discuss FARA, which operates in America, they dare not even say that what operates in America contradicts the rule of law. Venice dares not challenge America, but they say, "Well, it exists there, but we`re talking about what is applied in Georgia". Let them at least have the courage to say that what is applied in America contradicts the rule of law.

It is clear to any lawyer that this is a political conclusion and has nothing whatsoever to do with the fundamental task that the Venice Commission once had regarding its legal opinions.

As for stigmatization, what does stigmatization consist of? If there`s no stigmatization in US, how can there be stigmatization in Georgia? Are we somehow different sorts of people in America and Georgia, or what? This opinion is absolutely absurd: that what is acceptable in US is not acceptable for Georgians.

If the VC must view us in such a segregationist manner, that`s quite another matter", - said Shalva Papuashvili.