Tbilisi. Since 2002, Georgia has been marking the day of commemoration of the victims of repressions on 22 July. For this day, the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI), in collaboration with the society for supporting families and keeping the memory of Soviet repression victims in Georgia „Memorial“, held the Exhibition „Repressed Women in the Soviet Union“ at the Dedaena Park. The history of this day dates back to 1937 when, on this day, a great Georgian poet, Paolo Iashvili committed suicide demonstratively at the building of the Writers’ Union. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. The Education Development and Employment Center (EDEC) has launched the renewed website www.edec.ge. Information on the site is available in Georgian and English languages. The presented information is also accessible for persons with low vision.                                                                     Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Statement made by Mr. Diégo Colas, the Ambassador of France: “I am heartbroken to learn about the death of Lekso Lashkarava, a journalist who got severely injured on Monday while fulfilling his duty – covering homophobic violence that took place on July 5. My condolences to his family and colleagues. Freedom of assembly and press, fight against discrimination and hate, no to violence”.  Read more… Source: The Embassy of France in Georgia

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

A publication of Luke Coffey and Dr. James Jay Carafano, released by the Economic Policy Research Center, states: “It will require creative political will to end Russia’s veto on Georgia’s NATO membership without triggering a war or Georgia loosing territorial integrity”. see more (geo)... source: eprc.ge

Tbilisi. The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) conducted a large-scale research, within the framework of which the organization studied communist, totalitarian regime related names of settlements, streets, parks and squares, as well as other toponyms in the territory controlled by the state of Georgia. “Out of the 80 settlements studied, Soviet totalitarian toponyms can be found in 46. In 35 settlements, there can be found names of those people, events, organizations that have been connected with a special crime committed against Georgia or humanity. While studying toponyms, there have been revealed people whose names are actively used by the contemporary Russian propaganda”. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. On June 28, IDFI, in cooperation with Tbilisi City Hall and with the financial support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Good Governance Initiative in Georgia (USAID GGI), held an online public discussion of the Open Data Portal concept. This event aimed to introduce the concept of the Tbilisi City Hall Open Data Portal to the public, and ascertain stakeholders’ views. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. On June 27 European Union and Georgia mark the 7th Anniversary of the signature of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement. “While it is a technical document, it embodies our shared values and ambitions. And it is the key to unlocking the potential of what we have set out to achieve together. Happy anniversary to both Georgia and the EU! I look forward to continue our joint efforts to further deepen our partnership and bring us even closer together in the years to come”, says Carl Hartzell, EU Ambassador to Georgia. Read more… Source: The EU’s page on the social network

Expansion of the CSO Meter – a tool for monitoring of an enabling environment of civil society organizations is intended. More than 800 Eastern European organizations participated in development of the instrument. We remind you that this tool is based on international standards and covers 10 different areas and indicators that are used to measure an enabling environment of CSOs in terms of both legislation and practice. CSO meter is divided into 2 main parts: 1. Fundamental rights and freedoms, which constitute the basis of existence of civil society. 2. Necessary conditions, which provide additional support and are important for development of civil society. There are prepared regional reports on the basis of it, including those about Georgia. In Georgia, the study is carried out by the Civil Society Institute (CSI) in cooperation with the European Center for Non-for-Profit Law (ECNL). As mentioned above, it is intended to refine the tool in the near future. In particular, ECNL, together with the Civil Society Institute and other partners, plans to add a system for evaluation of scores to the tool. This will allow interested individuals and parties to compare results of the study by years, areas, countries. Besides, there will be expanded the area of the study of the tool in coming years - for example, evaluation of an influence on civil groups through digital technology or artificial intelligence. It is also planned to expand the CSO Meter as a means of monitoring, as well as circle of users - CSOs and activists in target countries. New initiatives and changes will be carried out within the framework of the project – “CSO Meter: A Compass To Conducive Environment And CSO Empowerment”. It is implemented by the European Center for Non-for-Profit Law (ECNL) with financial support from the EU and in collaboration with partner organizations: Transparency International - Armenia (TIAC); MG Consulting LLC (Azerbaijan), the Civil Society Institute (Georgia), Promo-LEX Association (Moldova), the Ukrainian Center for Independent Political Research (Ukraine).

Tbilisi. EU awards grants to 12 youth start-up projects to promote social entrepreneurship in Georgia within the framework of the EU4Youth initiative project "Social Entrepreneurship in Armenia and Georgia". The grants signing ceremony with the first seven winning young social entrepreneurs took place at the venue of one of the winning project, the social café “Cafune” in Rustavi. The project aims to provide creative young people from Armenia and Georgia with the necessary knowledge and skills and a unique opportunity to develop existing or establish new sustainable business with a clear social mission. Read more… Source: eeas.europa.eu

Tbilisi. A civic platform “No to Phobia!” condemns a statement made by Tea Darchia, considering it as Islamophobic and encouraging discrimination on the ground of religion. “The statement of Tea Darchia stirs up stereotypical perceptions related to the point that a Georgian can only be Orthodox (“there is nothing Georgian in them anymore”). Those particular attitudes contribute to discrimination on the ground of religion and religious conflicts in society. In such circumstances though, journalists have a special responsibility not to become facilitators of dissemination of stereotypical perceptions”, - is noted in the statement. Read more… Source: www.gdi.ge

Tbilisi. The USAID Independent Living Program in Georgia is pleased to inform you that six Independent Living Centers have begun operations in Lagodekhi, Telavi, Kutaisi, Zugdidi, Ozurgeti, and Batumi. “The centers will assist persons with disabilities to achieve and maintain independent living by helping them to access information, resources, and services, overcome social, psychological and physical barriers, and by linking them and local municipalities with service providers”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. Social Justice Center (formerly EMC) publishes an analysis of possibility to export electricity generated by Namakhvani HPP. “While talking about benefits of Namakhvani HPP, representatives of state agencies, along with other issues, often underline importance of the project in strengthening energy independence of the country. This assertion of energy independence is another of loud statements, which is often voiced by government officials and is not backed up by the text of the agreement - the content of the agreement signed between the investor and the Government”. Read more… Source: socialjustice.org.ge

Tbilisi. According to the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI), the Parliament of Georgia approved amendments to the Law on Information Security by 77 votes to 2 in the third reading, which amendments contradict certain requirements of the EU Directive (Network and Information Security (NIS) directive). “Initiated changes have been the subject of extensive discussions and criticism within civil society, private sector and experts of the field since the day of registration. IDFI actively participated in the process of revision of the bill, as well as study and analysis of risks associated with changes. Amendments, adopted by the Parliament, cardinally change the cybersecurity system of Georgia and contain significant risks”, - is noted in the statement. Read more... Source: idfi.ge

Samtskhe-Javakheti. On the 9th and the 10th of June of the current year the representatives of the Georgia Red Cross Society and the International Committee of the Red Cross implemented a field trip in Akhalkalaki region where they held informative meetings with the volunteers. “It is worth mentioning that for supporting those who showed an interest and for strengthening the volunteering movement, the leader volunteers of the region used this opportunity efficiently and registered more than 65 volunteers at the Youth Employment Forum in Akhalkalaki on the 10th of June”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. As Myth Detector informs, on May 26, Facebook activated new mechanisms against those sharing disinformation repeatedly to notify users of its platform about disinformation content.  “Whether it is fake or misleading information about COVID-19 and vaccines, climate change, elections or other topics, Facebook will spend more efforts from now on to make sure comparatively less users find similar disinformation in their application”. Read more… Source: mythdetector.ge

On May 24th the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL) and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency are hosting a high-level virtual conversation on emergency measures, fundamental freedoms, and revitalizing civic space in the wake of COVID-19. Available in English, Spanish, Arabic, French, and Russian. Learn more and register at www.icnl.org

Tbilisi. Due to the information of the Rights Georgia, according to the amendments to the Law of Georgia on the Legal Status of Aliens and Stateless Persons, the following regulations apply to asylum seekers from 12 May 2021. In particular, For the purposes of issuing a residence permit in Georgia, an asylum seeker will not be considered a person legally residing in Georgia; Asylum seekers are not entitled to apply for a residence permit based on their identification documents; Asylum seekers are restricted to apply for a residence permit while their application for international protection is under examination. Read more… Source: The web page of the organization on the social network

E-cards cover a variety of important issues about vaccination in the time of COVID-19. The cards were developed in the framework of the EU Neighborhood Policy in cooperation with the World Health Organization and EUvsDisinfo All you need to know about vaccination in the time of COVID-19

Samegrelo. Transparency International Georgia won 29 cases in 2020 within the framework of free legal assistance. This time, Ineza Kvitatiani, a citizen, registered a 3,504 square-meter plot of land in the Ingiri village of Zugdidi with the support of lawyers of the organization. Read more… Source: The website of the organization on a social network

Tbilisi. Social Justice Center (formerly EMC) responds to a package of intended changes in legislation on construction initiated at the Parliament of Georgia.  The organization considers that it creates direct risks of criminalization of homelessness and is unequivocally contrary to international standards of human rights.  Read more… Source: socialjustice.org.ge