The Georgian Parliament on Tuesday approved a ruling Georgian Dream party-proposed bills on amnesty for thousands of prisoners and a legislative package against “LGBT propaganda” in its third hearing, according to Agenda.ge.

The amnesty bill, supported by 84 MPs in the 150-member lawmaking body, will lead to the immediate release of approximately 1,000 convicts, while around 4,000 others will have their sentences reduced. Additionally, about 22,000 probationers will see their terms shortened by at least one year, while 7,000 will leave the probation system.

The amnesty covers crimes committed under more than 300 articles of the criminal code and is applicable to offences committed before July 1, 2024. However, it excludes those convicted of murder, drug trafficking, sexual offences, robbery, terrorism, corruption, official misconduct, organised crime and other serious or especially serious crimes.

The legislative package titled “on family values and protection of minors” received 84 votes in favour and no votes against, also initiated by the ruling party earlier this year, aims to combat “LGBT propaganda” and “protect national and religious values” by amending 18 existing laws.

The draft law defines issues related to marriage, adoption and foster care of minors, use of “medical manipulation” to assign a person to a gender different from their biological sex, indications of gender in documents issued by the state, public gatherings and demonstrations related to gender identities, “neglect of biological sex” within the framework of labour relations, and more.

The legislative package also designates May 17 as the Day of Family Purity and Respect for Parents.