Tbilisi. International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) has presented today an interim report on monitoring of the official pre-election period for the 2021 local self-government elections. The report covers the period from August 3 through August 30, 2021, as well as those developments, which started to take place before August 3, continued within the monitoring period or became known during the monitoring period. It is noted in the report that:  “According to the observation of the organization, within the reporting period, there were revealed: 15 facts of forced dismissal/resignation from work on alleged political grounds, 11 facts of pressure/ intimidation/ obstruction on alleged political grounds, 13 facts of alleged use of administrative resources, 6 facts of agitation through social networks, 4 facts of alleged voter bribery, 8 facts of a campaign of incumbent officials. Besides, there were also detected a tendency used by the ruling party to hinder observation activities of representatives of ISFED throughout the country, as well as cases of direct and/or indirect coercion applied against people employed at educational institutions in order to engage them in the campaign of the “Georgian Dream”. Read more… Source: The website of the organization

Tbilisi. The TI presents the report - ‘Persecution and Harassment of Critical Journalists at Ajara TV’. ‘ The report mainly covers the events that took place in the broadcaster since April 2019, after the impeachment of the director, Natia Kapanadze. The report overviews the beginning and the development of the crisis in the broadcaster. In particular, it addresses the case of dozens of employees, who were illegally dismissed or harassed, because of their critical tone by the leadership affiliated with the ruling party', - is mentioned in the document. The study relies on the information prevalent in media, advisory board meetings, the broadcaster’s quarterly reports, information requested from the broadcaster, and other public sources. Read more…  Source: The webpage of the organization

Tbilisi. The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) publishes an analysis of the progress of the vaccination process in Georgia. “From March 15 to the present, only 36% of the 46,520 targeted medical workers, as stipulated by the National Vaccination Plan, are vaccinated. According to August 4 data, only 4.8% of the total population was fully vaccinated, while 10.4% - with at least one dose. 13.5% of the population over the age of 18 were vaccinated with at least one dose, while 6.2% - completely. 58% of vaccinations and bookings are Tbilisi-based. There is no information available on what kind of information campaign is carried out by the government to interest and inform the population about the vaccination process”. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. According to data released by the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI), remuneration of Mayor at municipalities varies from GEL 2,600 to GEL 4,500 (net amount from GEL 2,080 to GEL 3,600). “The article reflects the situation existing to date and reviews current policy of determining salary rates for Mayors of municipalities, legislative regulations and expediency of pre-election promises made by the Prime Minister. The promise of the Prime Minister in regard to doubling remuneration of Mayors, provided that legislation does not restrict them from making such a decision independently, clearly points to existing decentralization problems at self-governments”. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. Transparency International Georgia continues to research the business interests of the relatives and associates of Anzor Bolkvadze, a member of the Georgian Parliament elected from the Georgian Dream as a majoritarian in highland Adjara. “None of our findings regarding the activities of Anzor Bolkvadze published in 2020 have received a response from the relevant agencies. However, new circumstances have emerged that revealed additional corruption and conflict of interest risks. This study summarizes the income received by the majoritarian MP's family members, the companies belonging to his relatives, and associates from public procurement, when Bolkvadze was a majoritarian MP, which we think depicts the MP's influence”. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. According to information released by the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI), the Parliament of Georgia has approved the Open Parliament Georgia Action Plan for 2021-2022. The organization notes that the vast majority of commitments stipulated by the Action Plan are the result of a civil society initiative. "The Open Parliament Action Plan consists of 19 commitments, implementation of which is planned within 2021-2022 years. The action plan aims to facilitate implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals by the Parliament of Georgia, improve access to information and activities related to oversight of the Parliament of Georgia, enhance citizen involvement in the activities of the Parliament of Georgia, and promote parliamentary openness and transparency”, - is stated on the website of the organization. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. Monitoring of social media, carried out by International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy, reveals that there are pages on Facebook, which operate in support of the Government of Georgia and the ruling party and undertake the Government function of public relations anonymously. “On such pages, along with information about projects implemented, ongoing or planned by the Government, activities and statements of the ruling party and its representatives, as well as positive opinions expressed by other people about them are also published. At the same time, some of them run a political campaign against other parties. Such Facebook pages accommodate advertisements as well, while the origin of funds spent for that purpose is non-transparent”. Read more… Source: isfed.ge

Tbilisi. The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) analyzed simplified COVID-19 related procurement carried out through May 31, 2021. “Doubtful circumstances, revealed in simplified procurement carried out by several state clinics involved in the management of the coronavirus, raise questions about the use of personal or business connections in the contracting process. Despite the fact that state clinics operate mostly on their own revenue, it is important to make sure they adhere to principles of conscientiousness and competition in state procurement. Besides, it should be noted that state clinics involved in the management of the coronavirus are financed from the budget”. Read more... Source:idfi.ge

Tbilisi. According to information verified by Myth Detector, a Facebook account “Unity for Georgia” spreads disinformation about Charles Michel. In particular, this account published a photo of a man dressed in a skirt, who, according to the description, is Charles Michel, President of the European Council, and arrived in Georgia wearing a skirt in order to support the Pride March. “The assertion that the published photo was taken in Georgia and the person on it is Charles Michel is false. As a matter of fact, the photo was taken at the Pitti Uomo fashion show on July 1, 2021 in Florence and portrays one of the participants of the event”, - is stated on the website of Myth Detector. Read more… Source: mythdetector.ge

Tbilisi. On July 19th the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) together with the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) presented the final reports of the alternative monitoring of the 2019 – 2020 PAR action plan implementation. results of the alternative monitoring reports on the implementation of Public Administration Reform (PAR) Action Plan for 2019 – 2020. “During the presentation participants discussed the following directions of the PAR Action Plan for 2019 – 2020: Policy Planning and Coordination, Accountability, Public Service Delivery, and Public Finance Management. The monitoring process revealed a number of shortcomings and challenges that characterize the policy-making process in Georgia, including the absence of mechanisms for reduction or elimination of identified risk in the action plan, lack of cooperation and coordination between agencies, weakness of oversight, and etc”. Read more... Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. FactCheck (FactCheck.ge), a fact-checking website of Georgia’s Reforms Associates, publishes a blog post: What did Charles Michel actually say when he mentioned one generation? “A lot of social media sites have spread news as if Michel stated in his speech: “One generation is the distance that separates your society from the doors of the European Union”. According to the translation released by the platform, the President of the Council of Europe in reality said: “I believe our Eastern Partnership is the locomotive for transformation, prosperity and growth. It is equally a powerful symbol of openness, mutual confidence and of our cooperation. It has been one generation of independence for you. And in this one generation, the distance between your societies and the EU has shrunk in unprecedented ways. The EU is your most committed partner for greater democracy, for greater stability, for greater prosperity, and above all, for the benefits of the people of your countries”. Read more… Source: factcheck.ge

Tbilisi. The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) has published a study about the results of monitoring the accuracy of December 10 reports of public institutions. So-called December 10 reports imply the publication of an annual report on the state of access to information by public institutions. According to the organization, “the monitoring has revealed that there are frequent cases when public institutions reflect in the data of their reports incompatible with requirements of legislation and/or reality. For example, despite the fact that public information requests of IDFI were left unanswered within the reporting period, indicators, provided in December 10 reports that show how completely public information requests were addressed, as well as current statuses, granted to letters that are overdue for months, point out that public institutions perform unconscientious and manipulative data processing. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. According to information released by International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED), Facebook has officially confirmed to the organization that the Facebook page of Alt-Info has been deleted based on the ISFED report. ISFED contacted Facebook and informed it about hate speech statements and calls for mobilization of violent groups made by Alt-Info on its platform. “According to the decision of the relevant department of Facebook, Alt-Info violated Facebook Terms and Policies”. Read more... Source: The website of the organization on a social network

Tbilisi. Read the joint study by IDFI and Social Justice Center "Independent Investigative Mechanism in Georgia - Achievements and Existing Challenges". “The study reflects the analysis of the institutional and legal framework related to the investigative function of the State Inspector's Service, identifies existing challenges and shortcomings, reveals obstacles to the investigation process, and provides specific recommendations that will help improve the capacity of the State Inspector’s Service”. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) publishes a study – ”Secret surveillance in Georgia – Practices of 2018-2020”. “Facts of spreading secret recordings and unlawful wiretapping, as well as impunity of perpetrators remain a serious challenge. All cases of unlawful covert surveillance and blackmail with private life related information require prompt and effective response. see more (geo)... source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. European Union in Georgia and UNDP kicked off election monitoring of the Georgian media.  “The monitoring will go on throughout the entire electoral cycle, including an election campaign, election day and a post-election period (from July 2021 through March 2022). Covering 54 national and local media outlets, the monitoring will be implemented in partnership with Georgian civil society organizations: the Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics, Internews Georgia and CRRC-Georgia”. Read more… Source: www.ge.undp.org

Tbilisi. In recent years, there have been questions whether the competitions to select members of the Georgian National Communications Commission (GNCC) have been carried out as a sound, competitive and independent process. The prevailing practice creates an impression of an imitated competition, which, as a result, diminishes the Commission’s undoubtedly important role and significance in the current politicized environment, strengthens the ruling authority’s influence on the agency, and discourages professional, independent cadres from participating in the selection process. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. On June 28, the Parliament of Georgia adopted the amendments to the Electoral Code, aimed at improving the electoral legislation. The working process lasted for several months and the final version of the document also reflected the provisions of the agreement between the political parties (the so-called Charles Michel Document). Overall, Transparency International Georgia welcomes the changes, as they provide for several important reforms, but there are also some issues that we consider problematic. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. SOS Children’s Villages Georgia releases an official statement in response to information broadcasted through mass media about two alleged cases of violence that took place in the service of a small family house of the organization in the past. “We, at the organization, are deeply concerned about the fact that living in a small family house turned to be traumatic for our two former beneficiaries and it is very difficult for us to hear their stories. The Association expresses its maximum readiness and openness to facilitate any kind of investigation process within the framework of law; moreover, provide psycho-emotional and legal assistance to both the alleged victim of violence and former foster children through the established practice of the organization. All revealed facts, regardless of the age of the case, always create a precondition for reviewing current systems of monitoring, existing within the organization, in order to ensure upbringing and development of each foster child in a safe and secure environment”, - is noted in the statement. Read more… Source: The website of the organization on a social network

Tbilisi. On June 24-25, 2021, in cooperation with the State Inspector's Service, the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) and the Social Justice Center held a working meeting with media representatives.  “Representatives of IDFI and the Social Justice Center introduced the main findings of the study "Independent Investigative Mechanism in Georgia - Achievements and Existing Challenges", which is scheduled for public presentation on July 12, 2021. This joint study by IDFI and the Social Justice Center is the first document that comprehensively reviews the activities of the Independent Investigative Mechanism and focuses on measures to be taken to strengthen the institutional capacity and increase the degree of independence of the Service”. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. Women’s Information Center presents an alternative report on the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, prepared for the CEDAW Committee in 2021. “The initial draft of the report was prepared by the NGO Women's Information Center, and 29 civil society organizations working on gender equality and women's rights in Georgia were involved in the final drafting of the report. The report was developed with the technical and financial support of the UN Women and the Government of Norway”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page in the social network

Tbilisi. According to information released by Social Justice Center, on June 25, the Prime Minister is going to present a report on implementation of a government program in the Parliament of Georgia. “We consider that information provided in the report does not fully cover all problems existing in the country, leaving important public concerns and interests without an attention. So far, the Government has not taken real, social needs-oriented and human rights-based actions in many directions that are discussed positively in the report. Social and equality related issues remain a significant challenge in the country, while problems existing in the areas of justice and rule of law, as well as public safety, are still critical. The state has not succeeded yet to initiate proper, comprehensive reforms and remains limited to fragmented, formal changes in legislation”. Read more… Source: socialjustice.org.ge