CSS appeals to its co-founder, Deputy Head of the Foreign Relations Committee, George Khelashvili to vote against the law that will deeply harms the activities of the organization (similar to other NGOs) he established and thrived for its development for years! Read more… Source: css.ge

Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs releases the statement and mentions that, the initiated draft law “On transparency of foreign influence” is defining CSOs as “foreign agents”. The draft law is against the Georgian people’s steadfast European aspirations and International Human Rights obligations. It will negatively affect Norwegian-Georgian cooperation.  Norway MFA urges lawmakers to act in the interest of democracy. Learn more… Source: twitter.com

Tbilisi. The Georgian Trade Unions Confederation (GTUC) believes that the draft laws, especially the one registered on February 27, grossly violate freedoms of expression and association guaranteed by the Constitution of Georgia. Also, it contradicts the practice established by the Constitutional Court of Georgia regarding the “legitimacy test” of the restriction of rights. “…While there are many challenges in the country and Georgia is preparing to receive the status of a candidate for EU membership, it is not clear which point of the EU’s 12-point plan requires the adoption of a law on transparency of foreign influence, especially since there is actually nothing about it in the explanatory notes. The Georgian Trade Unions Confederation (GTUC) emphasizes that European Integration is a strong will of the citizens of our country and the Parliament of Georgia, within its competence, should do everything for it.  At the same time, the priority of population, according to numerous social surveys, is solving acute labour and social problems, which is also an important part of the European integration. The Georgian Trade Unions Confederation (GTUC) calls on the Parliament not to support the draft law on “agents of foreign influence” and to continue working to fulfill the EU’s 12-point plan!” Read more… Source: gtuc.ge

Tbilisi. Commissioner urges the Georgian Parliament to reject the draft law “On transparency of foreign influence”. “While transparency may represent a legitimate concern, it should not be achieved to the detriment of the effective enjoyment by non-commercial organisations and media outlets of their rights and freedoms and of the exercise of their legitimate activities. Reporting requirements should be set up on an equal and non-biased basis regardless of the sources of income. Any interference in this field must respect the principles of necessity and proportionality as established by the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights.” Commissioner’s letter in English… Source: www.coe.int

Tbilisi. Comparative analysis of the draft Law of Georgia on Transparency of Foreign Influence (the Draft Law) regarding its compliance with international law and European standards (Analysis).  The analysis was prepared by the International Center of Non-Profit Law (ICNL) and European Center for Non-Profit Law (ECNL). Brief version is available here – ICNL-Briefer-of-the-Georgian-Draft-Law-on-Transparency-of-Foreign-Influence Full analysis... Source: ewmi-activism.org

Samegrelo. The women-led non-governmental organisation “Hands for Peace” hosted a gala exhibition in Zugdidi to present the results of a “Handicraft for Social Change” project, supported by the EU and UNDP through the EU4Dialogue initiative. The EU and UNDP support allowed 40 conflict-affected women to join a training programme in tailoring, embroidery, knitting and macramé to develop professional careers, earn a living, improve livelihoods and increase self-reliance. Six training participants already found jobs in different local enterprises and one of the beneficiaries was successful in applying for a grant programme. Read more… Source: www.undp.org

US Ambassador Degnan about the draft "foreign influence" laws - "These laws are aimed at blocking Georgians who are helping other Georgians. These are Georgians who are trying to address problems in their communities and provide services, whether it’s on climate change, or for business associations, or for young people, or people with disabilities, legal assistance to people who are in some cases in desperate need.  These laws seem to be clearly in line with Russian law, which is aimed at stigmatizing civil society. It’s aimed at silencing dissenting voices. When you look at what’s going on in Russia right now, you see that Russian law has been very effective in silencing civil society and dissenting voices. Georgia has fought hard to build its democracy, to protect its freedoms. These laws will undermine that progress that Georgia has spent so many years building. That is why you hear concerns from the United Nations, from the European Union, from the United States, from many of Georgia’s long-standing friends, who’ve been working with Georgia for over 30 years, to help improve Georgia’s freedoms, protect Georgia’s freedoms, and build the institutions. So that is why people are very concerned. Georgia does not need this law". Source: US Embassy

Ned Price, State Department Spokesperson: "We are aware of the draft legislation in Georgian parliament and are deeply concerned about its implications for freedom of speech and democracy in Georgia. We have expressed these concerns [directly] to [our interlocutors in] the Government of Georgia.  The proposed law would stigmatize and silence independent voices of citizens of Georgia who are dedicated to building a better future for their communities. We believe such a law could potentially undermine Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration.  Statements that this legislation is based on the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) in the United States are patently false. In fact, this draft legislation appears to be based on similar Russian and Hungarian legislation [not on FARA or any other American legislation]."

The United Nations in Georgia expresses profound concern that the adoption of the draft Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence would risk impeding the work of civil society and media and the essential contributions they make to Georgian democracy. "Civil society organizations in Georgia have been at the forefront of delivering essential services to the most vulnerable and helping protect their human rights. Stigmatizing their work risks leaving persons with disabilities, internally displaced, minorities, older persons, women, youth and children, survivors of domestic violence and other people in need without effective assistance and support". more... source: www.undp.org

PACE co-rapporteurs for monitoring of obligations and commitments by Georgia: “The draft law “On Transparency of Foreign Influence” that was tabled by the People’s Power Faction raises several concerns with regard to its compatibility with democratic and Human Rights standards, said PACE rapporteurs on Georgia. We urge all other political factions in Georgia not to support this draft law that would have a chilling effect if adopted, they underlined.” PACE - Parliamentary Assembly is an institution of the Council of Europe that consists of parliamentarians from the national parliaments of the Council of Europe’s 46 member states. Read more… Source: Council of Europe Office in Georgia

Statement: "The proposed draft law on “transparency of foreign influence” raises serious concerns. Creating and maintaining an enabling environment for civil society organisations and ensuring media freedom is at the core of democracy. It is also key to the EU accession process and part of the 12 priorities, notably priority 7 on media freedom and priority 10 on the involvement of civil society. The European Union is supporting Georgia in its reform efforts, responding to the country’s own aspirations for continued development and EU membership, as enshrined in Georgia’s Constitution. The draft law’s adoption would be inconsistent with these aspirations and with EU norms and values. We encourage the political leaders in Georgia to adopt and implement reforms that are in line with the stated objective of joining the European Union, as supported by a large majority of Georgia’s citizens." Read more... source:www.eeas.europa.eu

The web portal CsoGeorgia.org releases a weekly newsletter of grants competitions, contests, vacancies, fellowships, and tenders for civil society organizations, and for any interested person. Newsletter...

Tbilisi. The petition “Russian law is not the will of Georgia” was published on the web-pages of Media and Civil Society Organizations. “We, the people of Georgia, strongly oppose the bill initiated by the members of the Parliamentary Majority, also endorsed by the Speaker of Parliament and other MPs. We declare that the attempts to adopt this Russian bill attack not only the independent civil society organizations and the critical media, but the people of Georgia themselves. This bill aims to leave defenseless the abused children and women; people with disabilities, minorities, scientists, workers, and the youth; to not provide assistance to the socially vulnerable families, farmers, miners, internally displaced, homeless, illegally laid off, detained, and other people fighting for their rights; to mute the voice of the people living in the peripheries of the country that can only communicate their troubles through the independent media. This draft legislation acts as a response to the numerous facts of violence, corruption, lawlessness, and arbitrary execution of the laws that we, the civil society and the critical media, study and make public. When Putin adopted a similar law in Russia, many organizations chose to disband rather than comply with its requirements. Those that continued to operate faced increased control, harassment, and repressions. This is not the type of governance that we have fought for many years to achieve, and Russian law is certainly not the type of governance that Georgian citizens aspire to have in our country. Adopting this bill will amount to an attack on the key Georgian values of dignity, independence and solidarity with our communities and fellow people. Adopting this bill will amount to an onslaught not only against civil society and our democracy but will also damage our aspirations of Euro-Atlantic development. This law will obstruct our path to membership of the EU as this law was found illegal in the EU. Moreover, the execution of this law will be impossible without causing insurmountable harm to hundreds of thousands of citizens of Georgia”. Read more… Source: gyla.ge

Tbilisi. The Public Defender’s Office is echoing the draft law of Georgia "On transparency of foreign influence" and considers that the proposed document does not comply with international or domestic human rights standards and is incompatible with the basic principles of a modern democratic state. “Special attention should be paid to the fact that the bill creates the basis for the collection and publication of a large amount of personal data on persons considered to be "agents of foreign influence" or those in varying relationships with such persons. In addition to potentially imposing an unjustified organizational burden on organizations and detracting them from their core activities,it may contravene the right to privacy by creating the possibility of processing and disclosing the personal data of any individual who has any form of employment or service contractual relationship with these organizations. It should be noted that ensuring the transparency of the activities of associations constitutes an important legitimate aim and pertinent legal regulation for achieving this goal, as well as the tool for collecting, analyzing and reporting information on foreign aid (eAIMS), is not unknown to Georgia as well. However, in order for the proposed interference with human rights to be considered justified, it must be necessary due to "pressing social need" and at the same time, the restrictive measures and accompanying procedures must not be disproportionate, which, according to the assessment of the Public Defender's Office, is not met by the draft law”. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. Within the framework of the project “Civil Society STAR Initiative," LDA Georgia conducted training on the importance, role, stages, methods and specifics of advocacy for Sunday school students of the Georgian Young Lawyers Association of the Kutaisi branch. The trainings are being conducted by LDA Georgia within the framework of the project “Civil Society STAR  Initiative,” with the support of the European Union and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. Civic IDEA shares the statement regarding the draft law on non-governmental organizations initiated by the political party “The People’s Power”. “In the beginning, it must be unequivocally said that the draft law is dangerous and discriminatory and significantly distances us from the declared goal of joining the European Union; therefore, it goes against the constitution and the choice of the Georgian people". Read more… Source: civicidea.ge

The web portal CsoGeorgia.org releases a weekly newsletter of grants competition, contests, vacancies, fellowships, and tenders for civil society organizations, and for any interested person. Newsletter...

Tbilisi. Read the latest contribution from Rondeli Foundation's intern, Rachel Mohr, Civil Society Development & Repression. Read more… Source: gfsis.org.ge

The web portal CsoGeorgia.org releases a weekly newsletter of grants competition, contests, vacancies, fellowships, and tenders for civil society organizations, and for any interested person. Newsletter...

Tbilisi. European Union in Georgia and UNDP Georgia support Parliamentary Democracy in Georgia and assist in its institutional development. “On 4 February, the parliament staff discussed a unified standard of institutional policy planning, monitoring and reporting. Theoretical and practical training will assist the parliament staff in better managing the entire cycle of institutional policy: analyse a specific sector, determine strategic policy directions, develop an action plan, engage stakeholders and, finally, effectively communicate results to the public”. Read more… https://www.facebook.com/UNDPGeorgia/posts/561937849305769  Source: The organization’s page on the social network Photo: Vladimir Valishvili/UNDP

Tbilisi. The European Commission has published its analytical reports on Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia’s alignment with the EU acquis. These reports complement our 2022 opinion the the countries’ EU membership applications, provide the state of play and offer guidance on the work ahead. More information… Source: www.eeas.europa.eu

The web portal CsoGeorgia.org releases a weekly newsletter of grants competition, contests, vacancies, fellowships, and tenders for civil society organizations, and for any interested person. Newsletter...