Tbilisi. On November 25, the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) in collaboration with the National Library of Georgia held the presentation of the memorial album about the life and work of a prominent public figure of the First Republic of Georgia, Nikoloz (Karlo) Chkheidze. The album includes the archival and photo materials that have not been published before, extensive annotations and the details of Karlo Chkheidze’s biography and public work. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. Europe Foundation is pleased to unveil its food safety application Uvno, which will enable consumers to access the NFA inspection results of food safety enterprises operating in Georgia. The data available to the users since 2016.  The application aims at informing the consumers about food safety compliance in food enterprises so that they make informed decision before purchasing the produce. At the same time, the application represents a platform for civic monitoring and acts as an information-sharing tool.  Read more…  Source: http://www.epfound.ge

Tbilisi. Transparency International Georgia publishes the report on the activities of members of TI Georgia’s Committees of concerned citizens of Imereti in 2018-2019. “In 2019, members of TI Georgia’s Committees of Concerned Citizens applied to the self-government bodies of Kutaisi, Tskaltubo, Khoni, Baghdati, and Tkibuli with a request to address 38 infrastructural problems/needs. The city halls of the municipalities expressed their readiness to address 24 of these problems/needs”, is noted in the statement. Read more… Source: www.transparency.ge

Tbilisi. The Public Defender of Georgia made a statement on the Developments in the Patriarchate.  ‘In recent days, some clergymen have stated via the media that they are aware of alleged sexual harassment and coercion committed by clergy. They also indicated that some of those actions might be committed against minors’, - The Public Defender mentioned, - ‘I would like to make it clear that the allegations contain signs of actions punishable by the Criminal Code of Georgia. Accordingly, I urge the law enforcement agencies to launch a probe into each similar allegation. I also urge anyone, who is aware of alleged criminal actions, to immediately report to the appropriate authorities’.  Read more…  Source: http://ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. Transparency International Georgia publishes the report on activities of members of TI Georgia’s Committees of concerned citizens of Adjara in 2018-2019. “In November 2018, members of TI Georgia’s Committees of Concerned Citizens identified 52 problems and needs in 15 settlements of Batumi, Keda, Shuakhevi, and Khulo. With the aim of addressing them, our organization applied to the municipalities at the end of last year. We received a promise to resolve 25 of the said problems from the city halls of the municipalities”, is noted in the statement. Read more… Source: www.transparency.ge

Adjara. “Transparency International Georgia” has publicized needs identified by civic councils in 2019 in Adjara. Supply of potable and irrigation water, bringing to order internal roads and drainage channels, reinforcement of landslide-prone terrains, installation of outdoor lightings, rehabilitation of kindergartens and sports infrastructure, access to the internet, maintenance of cultural heritage sites – this is an incomplete list of needs, in regard to which the organization has already applied to municipalities urging to address them. Read more… Source: www.transparency.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. “Transparency International Georgia” has publicized needs identified by civic councils in 2019 in Zugdidi and Poti. Members of civic councils of “Transparency International Georgia” identified more than 60 infrastructure problems/needs in Zugdidi and Poti. We anticipate that self-governments of Poti and Zugdidi will consider identified needs of citizens in a draft budget for 2020 as much as possible”, - is stated in the information released by the organization. Read more… Source: www.transparency.ge

Tbilisi. How Georgia responds to Russian propaganda - This was the topic of a discussion at the meeting organized by “Transparency International Georgia” on October 15. “Participants of the meeting talked about dangers, which Russian propaganda poses to the country, ways that are used for dissemination, state policy to address this problem and measures that need to be taken to fight against intensified propaganda”, - is stated on the website of the organization in a social network. Read more… Source:The website of the organization in a social network

Tbilisi. Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) publishes a blog post: On the Mass Burial Site of the Victims of the Soviet Repressions Discovered in Batumi.  “IDFI was actively involved in the search for archival documents about the people repressed in Batumi and Adjara. Through the archival research carried out by the organization, specifically through the study of the minutes of the execution of the extreme penalty, it has been established that between 1937-1938, through the various means of punishments (such as “Kulak” operation, Stalinist lists, national repressions, etc.) totally 1050 were executed in Adjara which is several hundred times more than the amount assumed before”, is noted in the statement.  Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. Today, Europe Foundation (EPF) presented its recent survey report entitled Knowledge and Attitudes towards the EU in Georgia.  EPF has been commissioning the EU Knowledge and Attitudes survey biannually since 2009. The survey results are representative of the whole population of Georgia (excluding occupied territories). All waves of surveys have been carried out using identical questionnaire to allow for the comparison of changes in populations knowledge of and expectations towards the European Union, Georgia-EU relations and European integration. In 2019 2,746 interviews were conducted.  Read more… Source: The web-page of the organization

Tbilisi. According to information of the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI), in 2019 (January-July) the number of crimes has increased by 17.23%.  “In 2019, there has also been observed a negative trend in terms of solving crimes, the indicator of which has deteriorated by approximately 4% in comparison with 2018. Respectively, even in the circumstances of equal methodology and accountability, the number of crimes continues to increase, while the indicators of solving them – to decrease”, - is stated on the website of the organization.  Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) appraises a government program presented by the new Prime Minister of Georgia to the parliament of the country. “The text of the program, among others, does not respond to the deep crisis revealed in the country within recent months that is connected with democratic functioning of state institutions and the political system. In these circumstances, the government program is more technical in its meaning and cannot carry the real essence of rational political review and parliamentary control in this process”, - is stated in the appraisal.  Read more… Source: The website of the organization

Tbilisi. Civil society organizations call on members of parliament to not support the candidacy of Giorgi Gakharia.  “We consider that the parliament has to refrain from appointing Gakharia to the position of a head of highest body of executive government at least until the nature and extent of responsibility of the minister in regard to the violent dissolution of the June 20-21 rally is clearly revealed”, - is noted in the joint statement.  Read more… Source: gyla.ge

The web portal www.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. Georgian foundation for Strategic and International Studies publishes a blog post: Key messages of Vladimir Putin from an interview given to the Financial Times. “Emphasizing traditional values as a counterweight to liberalism has been especially outlined in the Russian political agenda for the last several years. Besides, it should be taken into consideration that this particular direction of the Russian propaganda is mostly designed for post-Soviet countries. On this background it is not accidental that the issue of protection of traditional values is becoming increasingly relevant to us, which fact is proved by activation of certain groups in connection with this subject during last period of time”, - is stated on the website of the organization. Read more… Source: www.gfsis.org

Tbilisi. The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) considers that reorganization of the Georgian National Book Center and Writers’ House was unsubstantiated and hasty. Read more… Source: gyla.ge

Tbilisi. Part of civil society organizations addresses participants of the Batumi Conference with a special statement.  “Today we are the target of aggressive rhetoric and economic sanctions of the government of Russia and President Putin. Besides, President Putin personally falsifies the history of Georgia. By distorting the facts, creating false narrative he attempts to form a traumatic memory, which will disable peace building and confidence restoring processes in the region”, - is stated in the address, - “Unfortunately, our government is unable to deal with this rhetoric. Furthermore, with their confusion and inactivity its representatives sow panic in our country and try to establish a perception that without close economic ties with Russia our country will not survive. In this circumstance it is important that imperialist rhetoric of Putin receives a strict response also from you! Your support is substantial for each citizen of Georgia!”  Read more…  Source: https://www.transparency.ge

Tbilisi. Civil society organizations call on the Parliament of Georgia to timely review the issue of termination of authority of Zaza Kharebava, a member of the High Council of Justice. "The High Council of Justice of Georgia starts the process of selection of judges of the Supreme Court. Today, on June 7, there will be held a sitting to register applicants of the competition as candidates, which sitting will be followed by several stages of secret ballots at the Council. In this circumstance it is crucially important to have the Parliament of Georgia review, within the shortest period of time, the issue of lawfulness of election of Zaza Kharebava, a non-judge member of the High Council of Justice, to the Council and termination of his authority. On May 14, 2019, the "Coalition for an Independent and Transparent Judiciary” applied to the Parliament of Georgia demanding to examine the issue of lawfulness of election of Zaza Kharebava, a non-judge member of the High Council of Justice. According to the statement of the Coalition, there were violated requirements of law in the process of election of Zaza Kharebava as far as his candidacy was presented to the Parliament by an unauthorized subject”, - is noted in the statement. Read more… Source:https://emc.org.ge