Global Proliferation of Foreign Agent Laws

The increasing use of foreign agent laws has become a defining feature of democratic backsliding across multiple jurisdictions, particularly throughout Europe and Eurasia. Often framed as transparency measures, these laws are increasingly used to stigmatize, surveil and restrict civil society organizations, independent media and human rights defenders receiving foreign support.

Juridia’s work in this area combines comparative legal analysis, strategic advocacy and support initiatives focused on the legal and institutional consequences of these frameworks.

Hungary

In Hungary, Juridia has analyzed the Act on the Protection of National Sovereignty (PNSA), adopted in December 2023, which established a Sovereignty Protection Office with broad investigative powers. Our work examines how the law has been used to target civil society organizations and independent journalism under the guise of addressing foreign influence.

Juridia’s research also compares the PNSA framework with the United States Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), challenging claims that the laws are equivalent in scope or implementation.

We have also analyzed the European Commission’s infringement proceedings challenging the law through to the Court of Justice of the European Union’s landmark ruling in 2026.

Georgia

In Georgia, Juridia has supported legal analysis and advocacy efforts surrounding the Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence. This includes engagement with constitutional and international human rights concerns related to restrictions on civil society organizations and independent actors.

Juridia Board Member Fernanda Nicola submitted an amicus curiae brief to the Georgian Constitutional Court addressing the law’s compatibility with Georgian constitutional protections and international legal standards.

Kyrgyzstan

In Kyrgyzstan, Juridia has worked alongside civil society organizations affected by the Law on Foreign Representatives, adopted in April 2024. Modeled on the Russian foreign agent framework, the law has contributed to increasing restrictions on NGOs and independent organizations operating within the country.

Juridia’s work includes legal analysis, advocacy support, and engagement with organizations navigating the operational and legal consequences of the legislation.

Related Publications

The Spreading Impact of Restrictive “Foreign Agent” Laws and How to Stop Them — Just Security

First Time as Tragedy, Second Time as Farce: The Chilling Effects of the Hungarian Law Protecting National Sovereignty — Verfassungsblog

Sovereignty Is Not a Shield: AG Kokott’s Constitutional Line in Commission v. Hungary — EU Law Live