Adjara. On March 29, 2023, the Public Defender of Georgia, Levan Ioseliani, visited the arbitrarily built “dream town” in the city of Batumi and learned about the situation of its inhabitants. “The homeless citizens of Georgia, resettled from the mountainous Adjara region, have been living in the conditions of faulty water supply, sewage and electricity systems for more than 10 years. Due to the lack of road infrastructure, it is also difficult for children to get pre-school and secondary education”. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. According to the Human Rights House Tbilisi, 176 people applied for professional practice in our organization. “We are happy that there is such a strong desire to continue working in the human rights-defending organization”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. Civil society and community organisations are responding to the attack on MP Tariel Nakaidze and believe that “this attack is directed not only against an individual politician but aims to discredit the human rights work in general and harm the human rights condition of minorities in Georgia”. “Unlike the MPs supporting the Russian Law, Tariel Nakaidze often uses the Parliament tribune for defending human rights and discussing the challenges of religious and ethnic minorities, women and LGBTQI persons. Minority rights protection is part of those European values that are strongly protected in the EU and are an organic part of our traditions. The hate speech and politics of hatred promoted by government representatives, besides being against democratic values and the spirit of human rights, irreversibly deepen political polarisation and harms pluralism and diversity”. Read more… Source: socialjustice.org.ge Photo: IPN

Tbilisi. Social Justice Center shares the analytical document: Another Attempt to Reform the Judiciary - Analysis of the Parliamentary Working Group and the Draft Law. “The recommendations issued by the European Commission for Georgia in the summer of 2022 created an important opportunity for the systemic refinement of the judicial system. Unfortunately, due to the lack of political will, this opportunity was not used effectively once again. The working group in the Parliament created only an illusory opportunity for civic engagement and in-depth discussions on judicial reforms. Despite the opportunity for formal engagement of CSOs, Public defenders, and professional groups in the activities of the working group, not a single recommendation made by them, directed to systemic changes, or to the assessment of existing problems in the court, was shared by the parliamentary majority. Moreover, rarely were these initiatives even the subject of genuine analysis and debate. Against this background, it is logical that the reform strategy developed by the working group does not even minimally address the systemic challenges in the judicial system. The package of legislative changes prepared on the basis of the mentioned strategy envisages fragmented, façade changes, which cannot be the source of hope for substantive refinement of the judicial system”. Read more… Source: socialjustice.org.ge

Tbilisi. Salome Kenchiashvili, is the winner of the first scholarship of the Maro Makashvili Award, which is provided by the Gurulian Diary Fund. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. According to the Public Defender's assessment, at the time of the warning made by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia in the evening hours of March 7, 2023, the assembly had a peaceful character and there was no reason to terminate it or use force against it. “As for the cases of violence by individual participants in the rally, if there were any, individual - necessary and proportionate measures should have been taken against them. Contrary to this, the law enforcement officers started using special equipment against the participants in the assembly, including peaceful demonstrators, which contradicts the standard of necessary and proportionate interference with the right”. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. The ruling Georgian Dream party has passed the first version of the draft foreign agent law in its first reading in parliament. Tens of thousands of people gathered outside to protest what has been widely condemned as a Russian-style law that threatens Georgia’s democracy. Riot police were immediately deployed as the bill was passed, deploying water cannons and pepper spray to clear the sides of the parliament. Numerous arrests were made. HRHT supports the protesting activists and ensures payment of fines to those arrested. The small budget mobilized by the organization will be used until it runs out. Therefore, we are starting to collect donations here. Account Numbers: GEL: GE41TB7249036080100001 USD/EUR: GE85TB7249036180100001 Recipient: THE HUMAN RIGHTS HOUSE TBILISI Description: No to Russian law Learn more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. Media Advocacy Coalition appeals to the Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia, Mr. Shalva Papuashvili, to immediately restore the accreditation of journalists in the Parliament, to ensure an unhindered and safe working environment for media representatives in the legislative body, to protect their freedom of expression guaranteed by the Constitution, especially during the upcoming discussions of the Russian law scheduled for this week. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. The Georgian Trade Unions Confederation (GTUC) believes that the draft laws, especially the one registered on February 27, grossly violate freedoms of expression and association guaranteed by the Constitution of Georgia. Also, it contradicts the practice established by the Constitutional Court of Georgia regarding the “legitimacy test” of the restriction of rights. “…While there are many challenges in the country and Georgia is preparing to receive the status of a candidate for EU membership, it is not clear which point of the EU’s 12-point plan requires the adoption of a law on transparency of foreign influence, especially since there is actually nothing about it in the explanatory notes. The Georgian Trade Unions Confederation (GTUC) emphasizes that European Integration is a strong will of the citizens of our country and the Parliament of Georgia, within its competence, should do everything for it.  At the same time, the priority of population, according to numerous social surveys, is solving acute labour and social problems, which is also an important part of the European integration. The Georgian Trade Unions Confederation (GTUC) calls on the Parliament not to support the draft law on “agents of foreign influence” and to continue working to fulfill the EU’s 12-point plan!” Read more… Source: gtuc.ge

Tbilisi. Transparency International Georgia’s lawyers helped Zaur Shonia to win an administrative dispute at the Poti City Court. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. The Public Defender’s Office is echoing the draft law of Georgia "On transparency of foreign influence" and considers that the proposed document does not comply with international or domestic human rights standards and is incompatible with the basic principles of a modern democratic state. “Special attention should be paid to the fact that the bill creates the basis for the collection and publication of a large amount of personal data on persons considered to be "agents of foreign influence" or those in varying relationships with such persons. In addition to potentially imposing an unjustified organizational burden on organizations and detracting them from their core activities,it may contravene the right to privacy by creating the possibility of processing and disclosing the personal data of any individual who has any form of employment or service contractual relationship with these organizations. It should be noted that ensuring the transparency of the activities of associations constitutes an important legitimate aim and pertinent legal regulation for achieving this goal, as well as the tool for collecting, analyzing and reporting information on foreign aid (eAIMS), is not unknown to Georgia as well. However, in order for the proposed interference with human rights to be considered justified, it must be necessary due to "pressing social need" and at the same time, the restrictive measures and accompanying procedures must not be disproportionate, which, according to the assessment of the Public Defender's Office, is not met by the draft law”. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. According to the blogpost published on Qeer.ge, the Government of Georgia submitted the 2022-2030 National Strategy for the Protection of Human Rights to the Parliament, in which LGBTQI rights were omitted. Parliament will probably discuss the document from February. Non-governmental organizations, activists and some politicians consider the approval of the strategy document in the mentioned form unjustified, and talk about the need to correct it. Read more… Source: queer.ge

Tbilisi. Car accidents are one of Georgia's leading causes of death and injuries. In order to raise awareness on road safety issues, Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, launch a joint campaign “Better and safer roads for Georgia”. Together with European Investment Bank - South Caucasus, European Union is supporting this campaign to help reduce road accidents and improve road safety in Georgia. More info… Source: www.eeas.europa.eu

Tbilisi. The signatory organizations, wish to comment once again on the extremely serious health condition of the third president of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili. We call on the court to take into account the conclusions of specialists in the field and to make a decision in accordance with human rights standards as soon as possible. We also call on the international community to use all the means at their disposal to prevent irreparable damage to human life and health and the political collapse of the Georgian state. Learn more... Source: idfi.ge

Samegrelo. Within the framework of the Child-friendly Cities Initiative, UNICEF supports Poti city hall to transform Poti in a child-friendly city. On February 2, UNICEF Representative Ghassan Khalil visited the city of Poti and held meetings with the representatives of City Hall, Municipality, educational institutions, children and civil society. Children's rights were discussed at the meetings, as well as the steps that Poti could take to become a more child-friendly city. Learn more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

According to the information of Social Justice Center the European Court of Human Rights has just published its decision on Temirlan Machalikashvili case. "The Court ruled the violation of Article 2 (the right to life) in its procedural aspect and deemed the investigation as ineffective.  It is essential that the violation of investigation standards in relation to the right to life established by the Court will serve as the ground for reopening the case and relaunching an investigation at the national level which hopefully will provide legal means to the Machalikashvili family to seek justice". Read more... Source: socialjustice.org.ge

Tbilisi. Media Advocacy Coalition responds to the verdict ruled by the Tbilisi Court of Appeal on January 16, 2023, according to which those convicted of committing organized group violence on media representatives on July 5, 2021, were acquitted, and the sentence imposed by the Court of First Instance was reduced. The verdict represents another step taken against journalists, freedom of expression, and democratic processes. The Media Advocacy Coalition once again calls on the authorities to ensure the effective protection of journalists' rights, including holding accountable the organizers and participants of the July 5, 2021 group attack on the media. Read more…  Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. The Public Defender’s Office of Georgia echoes the recent statements made during the political debate that allegedly took place in the Parliament of Georgia, as well as the statements made in public, which clearly contradict children’s rights and interests. “We call on everyone, including MPs, to show high responsibility during political discussions, not to allow referring to each other's family members, including minors, in a negative context, and to be the guarantor of the protection of the rights of each child. In addition, we call on the Parliament of Georgia to activate Ethics Council in order to study, monitor and effectively respond to the violations under the Code of Ethics for Members of Parliament”, is noted in the statement. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. Public Defender’s Office publishes a statement on Release of Footage Showing Mikheil Saakashvili in Ward “Notwithstanding the high public interest in the health and rights situation of Mikheil Saakashvili, taking into account the official explanations of the Special Penitentiary Service available at this stage, the Public Defender’s Office considers that the legitimate purpose of the release of the footage, including the satisfaction of the high public interest, or the proportionality or adequacy of that decision, cannot be proved. Even when there is a legitimate purpose, it is important to strike a balance between the public interest and a person's privacy, personal data protection rights, when disclosing health information”, is noted in the statement. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. As Georgia gets ready to adopt its National Human Rights Strategy for 2023-2030, the European Union (EU), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) create a space for discussion on ongoing reforms on administrative offences regulatory framework and the effective realisation of economic, social and cultural rights, bringing together decision-makers, civil society, and human rights defenders. The conference “Stand up for Dignity, Freedom and Justice for All” echoes Human Rights Day theme and calls on the Government, Parliament, civil society organizations and communities to work together and seek solutions to the challenges that prevent Georgia’s citizens, especially representatives of the vulnerable communities and minority groups, from fully enjoying their Constitutionally guaranteed rights. Read more… Source: www.eeas.europa.eu

Tbilisi. The signatory organizations respond to the fact that the health condition of the third president of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili, has extremely worsened. Despite the conclusion of the medical examination, the conclusion of the Public Defender’s Special Medical Council, and the call from the European parliamentarians, the authorities do not recognize the need to take immediate steps to protect the prisoner’s life and health. According to the Public Defender, Mikheil Saakashvili’s health condition already provides the basis for postponing the sentence. “The statements of the ruling party’s high-ranking officials are extremely outrageous and cynical, treating the possibility of the prisoner’s death with complete indifference. We believe that such an attitude towards the life and health of any prisoner is categorically inconsistent with Georgian and international law, as well as with the political goal of EU membership. Further worsening of Mikheil Saakashvili’s health condition and the lethal outcome will not only be the worst violation of human rights, but also a political collapse that will cause irreparable damage to Georgia’s reputation. The signatory organizations call on the government to fully understand the state’s obligations in the field of basic human rights, to stop being indifferent to Mikheil Saakashvili’s serious health condition, and to take responsibility for saving his life and health. At the same time, we hope that the scheduled court hearings related to the postponement of the sentence will be held as soon as possible, and the court will be guided only by the interest of protecting the life and health of the detained individual”, is noted in the statement. Read more… Source: www.gyla.ge

Tbilisi. A minor will no longer need the consent of an abusive father to get an education upon the request of “Rights Georgia”, the court issued an interim order. On November 25, 2022, the Samtredia District Court fully satisfied the request of "Rights Georgia" and the minor will no longer need the permission of the abusive father to study at school depending on her and her mother's geographical location.  "Rights Georgia" litigates this case before the court with the support of the USAID Rule of Law Program.  “Words cannot describe the emotion and happiness that I had during the hearing when the judge announced the decision. It's a great joy that I don't have to ask permission from an abusive father on matters related to the child's education. I am happy that from today I can provide education to my child independently,” -  the mother of the minor tells us. Read more... Source: The organization’s page on the social network