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

Tbilisi. EU and UNICEF Georgia together with the Ministry of Justice summarized the eleven-year results and cooperation of the Diversion and Mediation Programme at the conference yesterday. Find out more… Source: eu4georgia.eu

Tbilisi. On April 4, 2022, the European Parliament published a critical report on Georgia's implementation of the Association Agreement. “Alongside serious setbacks by the Georgian authorities in respecting basic democratic principles and adhering to political commitments over the past two years, the report pays particular attention to the failed justice reform and its implications for Georgia's accession to the European Union. The report, among other challenges, focuses on the strengthening of power over the judiciary and law enforcement agencies by the ruling political force. Recent developments in the report are described as a complete “deterioration with respect to the rule of law””. Read more… Source: socialjustice.org.ge

Kakheti. On March 29, representatives of the Human Rights Center met the public servants of the Telavi municipality. Aleko Tskitishvili, executive director of Human Rights Center, presented the findings of the HRC’s report „Legal Analysis of the Process of Property Restitution and Citizenship Restoration to Ethnic Ossetians Affected from the Conflict,” which was published with the financial support of the British Embassy in Tbilisi. Read more… ource: www.humanrights.ge

Tbilisi. According to Georgian Young Lawyers Association (Gyla) the following document legally assesses this legislative initiative of the Members of Parliament, in particular, discusses the essence/purpose of the dispute over the competence between the bodies and the mandate of the Constitutional Courts in this part. The assessment is based on the legislation of Georgia, as well as the experience of other countries (including the case law) and various doctrinal sources. Read more… Source: gyla.ge

Tbilisi. The Social Justice Center publishes the statement: Georgia falling short of its obligations regarding the judicial reform under the EU Association Agenda. “On March 3, during the numerous protests in Tbilisi, alongside Ukraine the Georgian government issued an official request of membership to the European Union. However, a mere application cannot be a guarantee of success. Among the obligations under the Association Agreement, the thematic direction of the rule of law, in particular the reform of the judiciary has a vital place. Review of the EU membership application is a complex and lengthy process, which examines the state of fulfillment of the country's international obligations and unwavering respect for the core values of the organization. Despite the statement made, the recent developments in EU-Georgia relations show that the Georgian government is not committed to its stated goals of EU membership, which is primarily reflected in the non-fulfillment of the Association Agenda adopted in 2014. The implementation of the Association Agenda is crucial for Georgia's progress in building democracy, strengthening its institutions and integrating with European structures”, is noted in the statement. Read more… Source: socialjustice.org.ge

Tbilisi. Georgian Young Lawyers Association believes that the initiation of this bill by the Georgian Dream clearly indicates their attempt of political retaliation against the President and the leverage in the hands of the ruling party - to achieve their party goals by amending the law. GYLA calls on the Parliament of Georgia not to support the adoption of the initiated bill and not to allow the legislation to be adjusted to party interests. The organization also calls on the ruling party to stop using the mechanism of amending the legislation for arbitrary, narrow political purposes, which serves as a personal retaliation against the President of Georgia. Read more… Source: gyla.ge

Tbilisi. According to the information of the Ombudsman OSCE/ODIHR Prepared Legal Opinion on Legislative Changes relating to State Inspector's Service at Public Defender’s Request. “According to the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, contrary to international standards, the abolition of the State Inspector's Service by the Parliament was hasty and was not preceded by prior consultations. According to the organization, this decision is a dangerous precedent as it poses a threat to the rule of law and effective functioning of independent institutions”. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. With the help of TI Georgia’s lawyers, Abesalom Korshia registered a 5 000 sq.m agricultural land in Anaklia. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. The United Nations Country Team in Georgia expresses its regret over the decision of Georgian authorities to abolish the State Inspector’s Service. “On 13 January 2022 the President has signed a new law abolishing the State Inspector’s Service and creating two separate institutions: Special Investigative Service and Personal Data Protection Service. We are particularly concerned about the expedited manner and lack of inclusive and transparent discussions about the abolition of one of the most credible, independent and authoritative institutions in Georgia that is mandated to investigate alleged human rights violations committed by law enforcement officials and is entrusted with the oversight of personal data protection. The lack of convincing justification for abolishing the State Inspector’s Service and the absence of compelling rationale for stripping the State Inspector of her six-year mandate sends a chilling message to independent institutions of human rights protection. We call on the authorities to request the opinion of relevant international institutions on the compliance of these decisions with the international standards”, is noted in the statement. Read more… Source: georgia.un.org

Tbilisi. The Coalition calls on the President of Georgia to apply her constitutional authority, veto the legislative amendments to the Organic Law of Georgia on Common Courts adopted by the Parliament of Georgia on December 30, 2021, and return the Bill to the Parliament with a rationale for veto. Read more… Source: rights.ge

Tbilisi. Transparency International Georgia responds to the January 12 verdict of the Tbilisi City Court related to the criminal case of Mamuka Khazaradze, Badri Japaridze and Avtandil Tsereteli. "The court found that there were no signs of money laundering and reclassified the action as fraud. Today, Georgian society once again witnessed implementation of political justice. Despite the fact that leaders of “Lelo”, a political union, and a family member of the founder of a critical media channel “TV Pirveli” were not imprisoned, the court decision was politically motivated and caused serious reputational damage to them. In case the parties appeal the verdict, Transparency International Georgia will further continue to monitor the case in the courts of higher instance”, - is stated on the website of the organization on a social network. Read more… Source: The website of the organization on a social network

Tbilisi. According to the Georgian Democracy Initiative (GDI), the Constitutional Court provided the organization with information, which discloses that “Merab Turava, Chairman of the Court, does not consider “Aiisa” related information about Judge Manana Kobakhidze, disseminated from so called state security service files, to be credible/authentic, therefore refuses to initiate disciplinary proceedings against her. Whereas, a clergyman publicly confirms the fact of communication with the judge, while according to the same information, Manana Kobakhidze urges the General Prosecutor’s Office to conduct a thorough investigation into the fact. A formal response of the Constitutional Court of Georgia to the submitted petition raises legitimate questions about institutional independence and accountability of the Court. While simultaneous election of Manana Kobakhidze as Chair of the Second Panel further indicates that the court is not committed to protect its credibility, maintain public trust and make similar decisions taking into account constitutional and international standards”, - is noted in the statement of the organization. Read more… Source: gdi.ge

Tbilisi. The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) considers that non-involvement of international experts in the process of examination related to the case of Lekso Lashkarava, as well as disproportionate dissemination of an expert conclusion, reduces confidence in the investigation process. “GYLA, in agreement with the family of Lekso Lashkarava, will continue to protect rights of the family during the process of ongoing investigations. A lawyer of the organization is going to apply to the investigative agency requesting to hand over the expert conclusion, while public will be informed about additional information right after we get thoroughly familiarized with the mentioned document”, - is noted in the statement of the organization. Read more… Source: gyla.ge

Tbilisi. The U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi releases the statement. “Last week, the ruling party undermined government accountability by abolishing the State Inspector Service, which is mandated to investigate police abuse and protect data privacy, undermined the independence of individual judges by amending the Law on Common Courts, and undermined faith in the judiciary by appointing yet another Supreme Court judge using a flawed selection process. No credible reasons were provided to the public for why these actions needed to be rushed through without appropriate consultations. Steps that weaken democratic institutions, such as the judiciary or independent oversight agencies, damage Georgia’s aspirations for NATO and European Union membership, and undermine the basic freedoms that are the foundation of Georgian culture and society”. Read more… Source: The Embassy’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. The Public Defender of Georgia is concerned that the Parliament of Georgia is considering extremely dangerous changes relating to the judiciary in a hastened manner, without sufficient discussion or prior consultation with civil society. “It is inadmissible to devote only 2-3 days to the discussion of such issues, to schedule a committee meeting without publishing the bill and to deprive stakeholders of the opportunity for informed participation in the discussion. We call on the Parliament of Georgia not to support the proposed changes, as they drastically worsen the state of the justice system and the right to a fair trial in Georgia. In case the bill is adopted, we call on the President of Georgia to use the opportunity at her disposal and to return the bill to the Parliament with motivated remarks”. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge