Tbilisi. Member organizations of the “Coalition for Equality” consider that current developments, related to the Ninotsminda boarding school, are alarming and require immediate, strong response from the state. “So far, none of the agencies of the state has expressed its clear position in regard to continuing cases of alleged violence committed against minors and breach of the rights of the child taking place at the boarding school. Besides, the state has not established a democratic work process that would allow the Public Defender to perform monitoring of the situation related to the rights of the child at the boarding school. Moreover, representatives of the Government fail to make any statement regarding deinstitutionalization of large boarding houses and necessary reforms till now, which are important preconditions for protection of both dignified, as well as proper living environment and rights of children residing in these institutions”. Read more… Source: www.equalitycoalition.ge

Tbilisi. Due to high public interest, the office of the Public Defender of Georgia releases a statement in regard to the current situation at the Ninotsminda Children’s Boarding School. “The office of the Ombudsman applied to the General Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia requesting information about alleged criminal facts that took place at the Boarding School. According to information received, an investigation into four criminal cases on facts of alleged violence against minors has been launched in 2016-2021. There is currently an investigation ongoing into 3 cases of alleged violence (Article 126 of the Criminal Code) and one case of alleged rape (Article 137 of the Criminal Code). So far, the office of the Ombudsman does not have detailed information about facts of alleged violence, people and circumstances involved, as well as measures taken and ongoing. The office of the Public Defender has already applied to responsible agencies to clarify the issue”. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association releases the statement related to the International Children’s Day. June 1st is International Child Protection Day. This date reminds us once again of the need for the state to take measures that are in the child's best interests and serve to protect the children's right to life, health, education, development, and dignified life. The existence of complex and effective mechanisms to ensure the protection of their rights to a high standard is important for protecting children's rights. Read more… Source: gyla.ge

Tbilisi. Nino Lomjaria, the Public Defender of Georgia, releases a statement in response to June 1, the International Day for Protection of the Rights of the Child. “On this important day, I would like to assure all children living in Georgia that the Public Defender will always be by their side and protect their rights. Today, when many children live in poverty and experience violence, health, education and development related needs are neglected as never before, it is important to make sure that celebration of this day goes beyond the symbolic burden, while the state takes effective steps to protect their rights. In Georgia, we have been facing the most serious cases of violation of the rights of the child over the years, which fact is mostly related to inefficiency of support services, delayed response of the state, and shortcomings in social and child care programs. Public attitude towards facts of violation of the rights of the child is still uneven, and children are often exposed to violence. So far, responsible agencies do not provide prompt identification of facts of violation of the rights of the child, proper response and support to minors in accordance with their needs”. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. On May 29, in the scope of the "Youth for Regional Development" project, schoolchildren of Zarzma Children’s Academy attended the lecture on "History of the Western Road of Georgia". The discussion was conducted by Irakli Chkhaidze, Assistant Professor at Tbilisi State University. The aim of the project is to enhance civic consciousness and increase civic activism among schoolchildren from Adigeni and Akhaltsikhe municipalities. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Samtskhe-Javakheti. CENN, with the Support of the EU and in partnership with Ninotsminda Youth Center, launched an Innovative Knowledge Hub in Ninotsminda Municipality. „The goal of the Innovative Knowledge Hub is to empower young people at the local level and promote their social and green entrepreneurship development. The Innovative Knowledge Hub is a youth workspace that will be accessible to young people living in Ninotsminda Municipality. The Hub will periodically host environmental and youth campaigns, and beneficiaries will also have the opportunity to meet with representatives from various fields and hold public discussions“. Read more… Source: The organization’s page in the social network

Tbilisi. According to the statement made by the UN Children's Fund, monitoring of remaining large size institutions for children should be carried out by relevant agencies of the country in order to make sure rights of children are fully protected. “In regard to remaining large size institutions for children, there should be developed and strengthened alternative services within the framework of the common strategy for deinstitutionalization. These services should clearly outline relevant goals and objectives, which in turn would facilitate gradual replacement of mentioned institutions with family and community based services. At the same time, all relevant state institutions should be able to conduct monitoring at all sites where children are in order to make sure their rights are protected”, - is noted in the statement of the organization. Read more… Source: www.unicef.org

Samtskhe-Javakheti. According to information released by the office of the Public Defender, representatives of the Ombudsman revisited the Ninotsminda boarding school for children, however, they again were not allowed to carry out the monitoring regardless of temporary measures issued by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. Representatives of the institution did not express willingness to be interviewed and stated an instruction of its head as the reason for it. “Representatives of the Ombudsman also visited a Ninotsminda public school #4. It is noteworthy that no child from the boarding school went to the public school, which fact indicates that the institution was informed by state agencies about the possible visit of the Public Defender. An interview with the principal of the school revealed once again that children attend the school accompanied by supervisors. Furthermore, supervisors remain in the school building during lessons and wait for children there. Regarding this practice, the administration of the school was given a recommendation on the spot as it violates the best interests of the child. The Public Defender of Georgia once again calls on all relevant state agencies to immediately apply temporary measures issued by the Committee on the Rights of the Child and ensure that an independent monitoring body performs its authority at the boarding school”, - is stated on the website of the Ombudsman. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. The state is obliged to ensure inspection of a child rights related situation in a Ninotsminda boarding school immediately - the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. “Today, on May 7, by 8 pm, a non-governmental organization “Partnership for Human Rights” received a message from the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. The Committee issued an interim measure, thus satisfying a May 5 appeal of the organization, and instructed the Government to ensure that a monitoring is carried out at the Ninotsminda boarding school by all relevant agencies”.  Read more… Source: phr.ge

Tbilisi. Partnership for Human Rights (PHR) calls for protection of rights of children at the Ninotsminda boarding school through court. “Instruct the Ministry of Health and the Ninotsminda shelter for children to not restrict the Public Defender from entering there and carrying out thorough monitoring; The Ministry of Health to visit the shelter immediately and study the situation existing there”. With these demands, the organization, as a holder of a special plaintiff status, has already appealed to the Tbilisi City Court in order to protect rights of children living in large institutions. Read more… Source: phr.ge

Tbilisi. ”Social Justice Center”, “Rights Georgia” and “Women’s Initiatives Support Group” respond to the fact of obstruction of activities of trustees of the Public Defender of Georgia by the administration of a Javakheti Ninotsminda Saint Nino boarding school, N(N)LE of the Patriarchate of the Georgian Orthodox Church for orphan and homeless children, as well as those deprived of parental care. “We, the signatory organizations, call on the state to take all measures for unwavering protection of rights of children in religious boarding schools and bringing these institutions under real and effective monitoring of the state”. Read more… Source: rights.ge

Kakheti. In Tsnori, a USAID-supported knowledge café needed fundraising to build a new building. ”Traditional methods did not appear sufficient. In March, in order to raise funds, USAID supported the café in launching Bootcamp - a new experiment for Georgian students. What was the challenge? Young people had 10 days to gain GEL 200 or 300 from GEL 100. 29 teams, participating in the first round, managed to raise money through both selling goods and donations. 20 teams succeeded to move to the second round, with the help of coaching, provided by a startup entrepreneur, they handled to double or triple GEL 200. In the end, these young entrepreneurs collected GEL 35 387 for the knowledge café and, at the same time, improved their business skills”. Read more... Source: The website of the organization on a social network

Tbilisi. On June 18, 2020, police officers stopped a child in Tbilisi and demanded to present an identity document, which the juvenile did not have. Police officers decided to take a photo of him, while the juvenile refused it and, therefore, policemen decided to detain the juvenile, however, people did not allow them to do so. During the attempt of detention the child received bodily injuries. On October 29, 2020, PHR applied to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and demanded a copy of an administrative case file related to the juvenile, but the Ministry delayed the process. In order to protect interests of the child, #PHR applied to the State Inspector’s Service. The State Inspector reviewed the case and concluded that materials were handed within an unreasonable timeframe. According to the conclusion, the Ministry of Internal Affairs performed its duties improperly. In particular, it provided the applicant with the documentation in an unreasonable timeframe, improper manner and incompletely. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia was declared an offender and fined GEL100 as an administrative penalty. Partnership for Human Rights continues to defend interests of the child. Read more… Source: phr.ge

Tbilisi. On March 19, 2021, Public Defender of Georgia Nino Lomjaria participated in the 5th Conference on the World Down Syndrome Day. This year's message for World Down Syndrome Day is "Connect", which responds to the pandemic situation in the world. “The online conference was dedicated to the importance of promoting the development of children with Down syndrome aged between 7 and 18 years. In Georgia, this age group still does not have adequate support in the form of public services. Current programmes are scarce, outdated and unable to meet modern challenges and individual development needs of such children”. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. HumanDoc Foundation, in collaboration with partner organizations: “Kartlosi” – Bridge of Friendship, Association “Merkuri” and Cultural-Humanitarian Fund “Sukhumi”, has released a publication: “Guide for teachers on violence against children”. An electronic version of the publication is available here... Read more… Source: The website of the organization in a social network

Georgian Women’s Movement launches a lengthy campaign on the case of a 14-year-old dead girl #NinisGamo (DueToNini) Read more…

Tbilisi. Civil society organizations express their concern regarding a hardest case of suicide of a 14-year-old girl in Kobuleti Municipality and call on state agencies to investigate the incident in a timely manner. “Within the framework of the investigation, there should be examined responsibilities of all possible bodies/officials that had an obligation to support the victim as well as to carry out an investigation in the crime committed against her.  This case demonstrates hardest social practices of violence against women as well as signs of criminal indifference and inefficiency of police and social institutions. Despite numerous tragic cases of juvenile suicide, the state has not shown its willingness to make radical changes in existing policies, it pays insufficient attention to development and implementation of a suicide prevention strategy in general. The system remains extremely indifferent in terms of elaboration of an adolescent care policy as well as social and psychological support mechanisms”, - is noted in the joint statement. Read more… Source: gyla.ge

Tbilisi. The Public Defender’s Office has launched an inquiry into a video showing an alleged offence. In particular, the video showing the engagement of a minor girl was spread via social networks on February 8, 2021. “Unfortunately, early and child marriages, as well as vicious engagement practices, are still common in Georgia. The cases examined by the Public Defender of Georgia show that the marriages are mostly forced and the result of illegal deprivation of liberty or an agreement between parents. The steps taken by the State, including in terms of prevention, fail to adequately respond to the challenges facing the country in this direction”. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Imereti. Local Democracy Agency (LDA) is happy to announce a start of series of practical trainings "Capacity building workshops for youth from small towns and rural areas on the development of business ideas" in #AZ, #UA, #GE. Online trainings will help you to find yourself in a business world. Experts from PL, IT, FR will prepare interesting topics. Youth could work in smaller groups to better understand in be involved. The deadline for registration is February 15, 2021.  Follow the registration link... Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Imereti. Due to the information of USAID Georgia Nino Gudadze, Mariam Eziashvili, and Nato Parkosadze are in their second year of high school in the village of Koreli in Imereti. They are also active participants in the school civics club supported by “Momavlis Taoba” (“Future Generation”), a nationwide civics education program funded by USAID. In addition to learning about civics in the classroom, they carry out their own civic activities in the community, including helping their neighbors get through the COVID-19 pandemic. When the pandemic hit their village, Nino, Mariam, and Nato realized that many residents of the village could not afford to buy face masks and were not able to protect themselves. They decided to take the matter into their own hands and help vulnerable families. They brought the issue to the local self-governing body, asked for information about how to help the vulnerable families in the village, and managed to obtain the necessary amount of face masks to distribute to local residents. The students provided 11 families with a total of 250 face masks. They also carry out informative meetings for the village youths about dealing with Covid 19 pandemic. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Imereti. EDEC in cooperation with UNDP, invites young people from Imereti, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, and Shida Kartli regions to participate in the project "Protecting IDP Rights during the COVID-19 Crisis in Georgia". „The project aims to support IDPs and conflict-affected youth to get involved in solving the challenges and problems created in their communities as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic“. Read more… Source: The organization’s page in the social network

Tbilisi. The Public Defender of Georgia is responding to the decision made by the Interagency Coordination Council on January 22, 2021, on the re-opening of kindergartens and the resumption of remote education in Tbilisi, Kutaisi, and Rustavi from March 1.  The Public Defender believes that the long-term prolongation of remote education should be the last resort, which should not hamper the effective exercise of the right to education. In addition, it is important that the infrastructure, access to water, and sanitation provide the necessary conditions for the prevention of the virus in schools where the learning process is ongoing or is planned to be resumed.  Read more…   Source: The web-page of the organization