Tbilisi. Rights Georgia publishes a blog post of Nana Mchedlidze, an expert in international law and a board member of the organization: Hate speech and dangers it poses. The blog post contains a review of “hate speech, its forms of expression, who the hate speech is directed against, and best practices of combating it in conformity with European standards of human rights, as well as dangers that might be posed by lack of response to hate speech”. Read more… Source: rights.ge

Tbilisi. Public Defender releases a statement on Investigation of Actions of Organizers of July 5-6 events. “As of July 12, 2021, no criminal proceedings have been launched against any person by the Ministry of Internal Affairs or the Prosecutor General's Office of Georgia for organizing violent, hate crimes that took place on July 5 and 6 in Tbilisi. We call on the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Prosecutor's Office to identify the main persons responsible for the actions of the alleged violent groups as soon as possible, as a matter of priority, and to launch criminal proceedings against them, as well as to proactively inform the public about the progress of the investigation. The Public Defender also calls on the Ministry of Internal Affairs to conduct an effective investigation into the death of TV Pirveli cameraman Alexandre Lashkarava, who was one of the victims of the July 5-6 violent attacks, and to establish a causal link between his bodily injuries and the fatal result”. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

The U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi extends our deepest condolences to the family of Lekso Lashkarava, particularly to Lekso’s mother, and to his colleagues at TV Pirveli and all those who are shocked and saddened by his death. "Lekso worked behind the camera so despite his years of service as a media professional, many might not have recognized him before he was viciously attacked by people who demonstrated a complete lack of respect for human life. His bravery as he defended his colleague and his commitment to the fundamental freedoms long cherished in this country represent the best qualities and traditions of the people of Georgia. The arrest of several individuals in connection with the attack on Lekso is a positive first step toward justice. The safety of every Georgian journalist and the credibility of democracy in Georgia require that every individual who attacked peaceful citizens and journalists on July 5 and 6, or who incited violence, must be identified, arrested, and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. We call for calm and an end to the violence that has already caused one tragic loss of life". see more... source:

Comments by EU Ambassador Hartzell upon news of the death of Mr. Lekso Lashkarava: "It is with sorrow I learned today about the tragic death of Pirveli TV cameraman Lekso Lashkarava. My deepest condolences go out to his family, friends and colleagues. Mr. Lekso Lashkarava was severely beaten as he was covering the violence that took place in Tbilisi around the Pride events on 5 July. While still awaiting the results of the investigation into the cause of his death, let me reiterate the EU’s strong condemnation of all violence and our staunch and unwavering support to the freedom of media and assembly". see more... source: European Union in Georgia

Tbilisi. NGOs statement: “We, the undersigned organizations, express our utmost concern and sorrow over the passing of Lekso Lashkarava, the operator of „TV Pirveli”. We would like to offer our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. …  Following the large-scale violence of July 5, which resulted in dozens of injuries to journalists and civilians and the death of the operator of “TV Pirveli” after sustaining serious injuries, all organizers, participants and perpetrators of violence, regardless of their secular or religious status should be brought to justice. The political responsibility for the severe consequences lies with the government, which has in fact refused to perform its function to protect human health and life.  Therefore, the undersigned organizations request at least: Immediate resignation of the Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Gharibashvili and the Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia Vakhtang Gomelauri”.  See more source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. EPRC extends its condolences to the family and colleagues of Lekso Lashkarava, a cameraman of the channel TV Pirveli. “We call on the relevant agencies to respond immediately to this tragic fact. We demand that the investigation and expertise be conducted in a transparent and efficient manner and that all organizers, participants, and facilitators of the crime be punished”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. Rights Georgia has launched a new project on refoulement issues. Within the framework of the project Rights Georgia will provide migrants with respective legal consultations on refoulement and non-refoulement proceedings. Furthermore, three researches will be conducted, which aim to identify practical and legislative challenges in the field of migration and therefore, the respective solutions will be suggested. Read more… Source: rights.ge

Tbilisi. The Human Rights Center has completed a project - “Free legal advocacy and human rights monitoring after the coronavirus pandemic”. According to information released by the organization, the Center:  “Provided 2010 free legal consultations; Processed 130 cases, 60 of which were successfully completed”.  Read more… Source: The website of the organization on a social network

Tbilisi. Social Justice Center considers support of “Guardians of Rioni Valley” for the violent rally unacceptable. “For us, the Save Rioni Valley Movement was a unique attempt of democratic self-organization of our citizens in recent years, which used to give proper naming to the logic and order of unequal and inhuman economic and political development of the country since independence. However, recent decisions of leaders of the movement, unfortunately, do not leave us the opportunity to remain again allies of the Save Rioni Valley Movement in the fight against the unfair, non-transparent and undemocratic energy policy”. Read more… Source: socialjustice.org

Tbilisi. The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) has been engaged in the case of 11 journalists affected on July 5, 2021. An investigation into facts of violence committed against media representatives and obstruction of their journalistic activities has already been launched. At this stage the status of victim is granted to 2 journalists. The organization will continue to work on cases of affected journalists and provide public with up-to-date information on the progress of the investigation periodically. Read more… Source: gyla.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. According to the statement of the Coalition for Independent and Transparent Judiciary the Selection of Candidates for the Supreme Court Judges is Arbitrary and Unfair. “For many years, the High Council of Justice, as well as the self-governing body of the common courts, has been operating in the face of such public sentiment and criticism. As a result, fairness, impartiality, and independence of their decisions are constantly questioned. In this context, it is not surprising that despite several waves of reform and constant legislative/institutional change, the judiciary has failed to be perceived by the public as a truly independent and just institution. The process of selecting judges of the Supreme Court was also conducted in this environment. The observation of the process has once again revealed that without fundamental changes in the High Council of Justice and the judiciary as a whole, all important processes (especially the appointment of judges) go through the same circles of mistrust, cronyism, and clan-based power. Consequently, without initiating radical changes in the justice system, any further process will fail to provide an escape from this circle”, is noted in the statement. Read more… Source: www.coalition.ge

Tbilisi. The whistleblowers protection day is being celebrated on June 23th. “The whistleblowers' institute is of key importance in the fight against corruption, especially the high-level corruption.  Unfortunately the level of awareness about the mechanism of whistleblowing in Georgia is very low and its use is virtually non-existent. Read more about the identified challenges and recommendations issued by IDFI on the issue" … Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. Civil society organizations call on the Government of Georgia to enhance its political and diplomatic efforts so as to set Zaza Gakheladze, detained in Tskhinvali, free and develop a more effective policy for the protection of human rights within occupied territories. “Unfortunately, human rights policy in conflict regions is not properly institutionalized and prescribed in our country. Besides, despite a long-standing experience in conflicts, we still do not have international mechanisms enacted in conflict regions that would serve as an effective tool for monitoring a human rights-related situation, as well as for response and prevention. The resource of communication and negotiation with de facto governments is not properly envisaged in the policy for the protection of human rights, whereas it would be a format for regular dialogue and work on issues related to human rights, security, and humanitarian assistance”, - is noted in the joint statement. Read more… Source: gyla.ge

Tbilisi. The Human Rights Center made a presentation of a report – “Coronavirus Pandemic - Free Legal Assistance and Human Rights Monitoring”, prepared within the framework of a project “Free Legal Advocacy and Human Rights Monitoring after the COVID-19 Pandemic”. The Human Rights Center implemented the project in Tbilisi and five regions of Georgia (Shida Kartli, Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli, Imereti and Samegrelo) with the support of the Embassy of the Netherlands in Georgia. Read more… Source: The website of the organization on a social network

Tbilisi. Coalition for an Independent and Transparent Judiciary releases the statement: A New Perspective on Judicial Reform. “Now, when the frustration with the outcomes of the judicial reforms is clear, there is a need for radically changing the reform strategy. The steps to be taken should be aimed at a consensus-based management of the judiciary. The reform should also create solid obstacles to the concentration of power”. Read more… Source: gyla.ge

Tbilisi. The European Court of Human Rights has started substantive review of complaints filed by the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association and EHRAC on behalf of journalists and demonstrators affected on June 20-21, 2019. “In particular, the court addressed the Government of Georgia, as the respondent state, with relevant questions regarding cases of Bagashvili and others v. Georgia as well as Kurdovanidze and others v. Georgia. Besides asking questions about violation of rights, the European Court satisfied a request of lawyers of GYLA and ordered the Government of Georgia to submit materials of the criminal case carried out by the Prosecutor’s Office in connection with dispersal of the June 20-21, 2019 rally”, - is stated on the website of GYLA. Read more… Source: gyla.ge

Tbilisi. Part of civil society organizations releases a statement: The High Council of Justice continues to take damaging steps for the judiciary. “On June 17, there takes place a sitting of the High Council of Justice, where a decision on up to 100 vacancies of judges is going to be made. Out of them, 9 candidates for judges of the Supreme Court will be presented to the Parliament today. Taking HR related decisions of such importance at an accelerated pace without implementation of in-depth judicial reforms is extremely detrimental to interests of the judiciary. We consider that actions of the Council may raise the issue of legitimacy of judges, appointed under these conditions, in the future”, - is noted in the statement. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. According to information released by Social Justice Center, the Supreme Court of Georgia did not satisfy a complaint of Biblus in regard to defamation and left decisions of a lower court unchanged. The court concluded that one part of information spread by employees represented correct facts, while the other part - their personal opinions, which is protected by the right to freedom of expression. Social Justice Center got involved as a defender of workers employed at Biblus immediately after 2017. As it is known to public, in 2017, some of those employed at “Biblus Gallery” talked about labor exploitation, low remuneration, unregulated work schedule and unfair, unjustified system of fining. Following to these statements, the company discharged 2 employees. With the legal assistance of Social Justice Center, the court found dismissal of employees unlawful, however, the dispute is still ongoing in higher instances. Read more... Source: The website of the organization on a social network

Tbilisi. As a result of legal assistance provided by Partnership for Human Rights (PHR), court found separation of children from their family due to poverty unlawful. “The Tbilisi City Court made an unprecedented decision. It found transfer of children to foster care and separation from the family due to poverty unlawful and ruled out to pay GEL 35 000 to three affected children as a compensation for moral damage. 2 years ago children were unlawfully taken out of the house and separated from their mother by the social service, without strengthening the family. For two years, children lived under the stress caused by separation from the parent. The court found this circumstance unlawful and satisfied the lawsuit of PHR”. Read more... Source: The website of the organization on a social network

Tbilisi. The imbalance caused by the large number of prisoners and the small number of penitentiary staff fails to provide a safe, secure or orderly environment that is necessary for the rehabilitation and re-socialization of prisoners.  Read more: National Preventive Mechanism Report 2020 June is International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) defended an internally displaced family, which was refused to get an alternative accommodation by the LEPL - Agency of IDPs, eco-migrants and livelihood provision. “As a basis for its refusal, the agency pointed to the fact that the family lived in an apartment owned by a close relative and did not need housing. GYLA argued at court hearings that the refusal of the agency was based on a misinterpretation of legislation and that living in an apartment owned by a close relative did not deprive the internally displaced family of the right to be provided with an alternative accommodation. The courts of all three instances shared the position of GYLA and the court dispute ended in favor of the internally displaced family. As a result, the internally displaced woman and her minor children will receive housing”. Read more… Source: gyla.ge