Adjara. According to TI Georgia, the organization’s lawyers successfully litigated at three instance courts the case of the illegal dismissal of Vakhtang Beridze from the director’s position at the Shuakhevi Cultural Center. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. Coalition for an Independent and Transparent Judiciary calls on the Georgian parliament. “We call on the Parliament of Georgia to recognize the existing problems in the judiciary and, by taking into account the recommendations of the Venice Commission, to promptly start the fundamental reform of the judicial system, which will contribute to the fulfillment of the European Commission’s twelve recommendations”. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

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. 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. 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

Tbilisi. In 2012-2021 the lawyers of Transparency International Georgia won 762 court cases in favor of citizens. "Our lawyers have been supporting people illegally oppressed by the state with free legal assistance for years struggling to defend their rights". Read more... Source: The organization's page on the social network

Tbilisi. The Coalition for Independent and Transparent Judiciary reacts to the re-election of Levan Murusidze and Dimitri Gvritishvili as members of the High Council of Justice by the Conference of Judges. “We believe these decisions strengthen the clan-based governance in the court and prevent the fundamental reform of the justice system, that, among other things, is included in the recommendations of the European Commission issued in response to Georgia's EU membership application”. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. The Coalition for Independent and Transparent Judiciary reacts to the judicial reform strategy and action plan released by the Parliament at the end of last week within the framework of the Justice Reform Working Group. The Coalition states that the proposed document does not reflect the real challenges in the justice system. Unfortunately, once again, it proves that the ruling political team does not have the readiness for real reform and continues to aim for façade changes. “We believe that the proposed reform strategy and action plan ignore the most pressing problems in the system. Another façade reform will not be enough to ensure the real independence of the justice system and thus will pose an even greater threat to the country's European integration process”. Read more… Source: socialjustice.org.ge

Kakheti. The representatives of the Social Justice Center held a legal aid meeting for the residents of Pankisi Gorge and provided the interested persons with legal advice on issues important to them. The meeting was held with the support of USAID Rule of Law program. According to the local population taking part in the meeting, it is vitally important to have clarity on legal issues and receive qualified assistance, therefore, they welcome such types of meetings. The Social Justice Center continues holding legal aid meetings in different regions of Georgia, including ethnically and religiously diverse cities and villages. Read more... Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. On September 22, 2022, the Georgian Court Watch presented a study: Factors Contributing to Nepotism and Cronyism in the Judicial System.”  It is based on 30 in-depth interviews conducted by Georgian Court Watch with current and former judges, lawyers, experts, and academics. In addition, the organization analyzed the legislation and decisions of the High Council of Justice. The study states that judicial reforms in Georgia have created an illusion of progress; institutional and procedural guarantees were used as a facade, which allowed an influential group of judges to pursue their preferred personnel policy. Read more… Source: osgf.ge

Tbilisi. According to the GDI, exactly one year since the July 5, 2021 violence, the ECHR has started communicating the application submitted by the GDI: “Tbilisi Pride” and others v. Georgia”. The Court considers that the application may become an impact case. “The case concerns the events of July 5, 2021 - homophobic violence, attack and threats against the LGBTQI+ community and activists. Arguing that the Georgian authorities did not act and their response was ineffective, the applicants have requested the European Court find the violation of Article 3 (No one shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment), Article 11 (freedom of assembly), Article 13 (Right to an effective remedy) and Article 14 (enjoyment of the rights and freedoms without discrimination) of the European Convention of Human Rights. The Court has communicated the application regarding each article to the parties. This means that the Georgian authorities must submit their response before October 13, 2022 to all questions asked by the Court. Among those, the Court asks: Did the authorities’ statements made in respect of the pride march exacerbate the violence which erupted on 5 July 2021? Did the state meet its obligation to prevent and effectively investigate violence? The Court has accepted the GDI’s motion and has invited the Government to provide copies of the relevant internal documents concerning the planning of the security arrangements undertaken by the Ministry of Internal Affairs in advance of the impugned events. Significantly, the trials at the Tbilisi City Court ended a year after the July 5 events. However, no organizer of the violence has been punished, and those who were found guilty received minimal penalties. GDI is the legal representative of Tbilisi Pride and LGBTQI+ activists at the European Court”, is noted in the statement. Read more… Source: gdi.ge

Tbilisi. According to the information of the Rights Georgia, ICC Pre-Trial Chamber delivers three arrest warrants. “30 June 2022, Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (‘ICC’ or ‘Court’) issued the public redacted versions of arrest warrants for three individuals in the context of the situation in Georgia: Mr Mikhail Mayramovich Mindzaev, Mr Gamlet Guchmazov and Mr David Georgiyevich Sanakoev”. Read more… Source: www.icc-cpi.int

Tbilisi. The Coalition for Independent and Transparent Judiciary considers the appointment of Mikheil Chinchaladze for a second term as the chairman of the Tbilisi Court of Appeals unjustified and harmful. “The High Council of Justice’s decision further deepens the problem of internal influences and clan-based governance in the judiciary. It undermines public trust towards judicial independence and damages the crucial process of Georgia's European integration”, is noted in the statement. Read more… Source: socialjustice.org.ge

Imereti. On June 14, 2022, with the Support of the European Union and ASB Georgia, the Legal Aid Center of the non-governmental organization “Rights Georgia” was opened in Chiatura, which will provide free legal assistance to the local population in cases related to gender-based and domestic violence. Read more…  Source: rights.ge

Tbilisi. With the Assistance of “Rights Georgia”, an Iranian Citizen Won the Dispute in Tbilisi City Court. Mariam Magradze, a lawyer of “Rights Georgia”, represented the beneficiary interests before the Supreme Court of Georgia within the framework of the IOM project - “COVID-19 and Needs of Migrants in South Caucasus”, implemented with the support of the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (BPRM). If you are a Migrant in Georgia and need legal counseling, please contact "Rights Georgia": at +995 577 28 22 77 Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. Transparency International Georgia publishes the blogpost: Who is the Presiding Judge on the Nika Gvaramia Case? “Lasha Chkhikvadze has been a judge for 15 years. Lasha Chkhikvadze was involved in a car accident that took place on January 22, 2015. Six cars collided in the accident, several people were injured and one died. The prosecutor's office denied that “any manipulation is taking place in the terminated case, as well as influencing someone, specifically Judge Lasha Chkhikvadze”. Zaza Gvelesiani, a witness in Nika Gvaramia’s case, was a close friend of a judge. Zaza Gvelesiani is the director of the media holding that manages Rustavi 2. Although Judge Chkhikvadze did not deny his close friendship with Zaza Gvelesiani, he did not grant the motion to dismiss himself from the case.  The criminal cases of Gigi Ugulava, Bacho Akhalaia, and Irakli Okruashvili are linked to the name of Judge Chkhikvadze”. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. Public Defender submitted alternative report on enforcement of rulings taken against Georgia by European Court and UN Committee on Elimination of Discrimination against Women to Parliament of Georgia. “The alternative report reviews the general measures taken by the State to enforce the rulings delivered by the European Court of Justice against Georgia in the following cases: Tsintsabadze Group, Identity Group, N.Ts. and Others v. Georgia, Amiridze v. Georgia, and Merabishvili v. Georgia. In addition, the report assesses the general measures taken against Georgia by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women in the case of Khanum Jeiranova. The document analyzes the adequacy of the steps taken by the State for the enforcement of the rulings”. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Social Justice Center,s report envelopes the administered cases and their respective analyses within the framework of the project "Legal Aid Network for Activists" in the period from the beginning of 2021 through March 2022. see more... source: socialjustice.org

Tbilisi. With the Legal Assistance of “Rights Georgia”, the Iranian Citizen Won the Dispute in the Tbilisi Court of Appeals. “Mariam Magradze, a lawyer of "Rights Georgia", represented the beneficiary interests before the Tbilisi Court of Appeals within the framework of the IOM project -“COVID-19 and Needs of Migrants in South Caucasus”, implemented with the support of the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (BPRM)”. If you are a Migrant in Georgia and need legal counseling, please contact "Rights Georgia": (+995) 577 28 22 77  Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Kakheti. According to the information of Georgian Young Lawyers Association person fired due to reorganization has won a dispute with the Telavi Municipality City Hall. GYLA represented and protected the person's interests. “The court of all three instances found that the dismissal did not comply with the requirements of the law; therefore, Telavi Municipality City Hall was instructed to reinstate the dismissed employee to the equivalent position and reimbursement of the outstanding salary from January 30, 2018, until the day of reinstatement in service”. Read more… Source: gyla.ge

Tbilisi. The Coalition for an Independent and Transparent Judiciary comments on the working group set up in the Parliament of Georgia on judicial reform. “It is unfortunate that information about the working group format is closed to the public. Local NGOs working on justice issues, international missions and other stakeholders are not invited to participate in the group, therefore, the process is non-inclusive. The ruling party has so far not recognized the main challenge in the judiciary, the existence of an influential group of judges; hence, the reforms carried out so far have been mainly fragmentary and have dealt with procedural issues. The "system of influence" that prevails in the justice system and that helps maintain the existence of an influential group of judges remains intact”. Read more… Source: socialjustice.org.ge