Tbilisi. Short reviews of IDFI's activities, with useful links and other materials are provided in the February newsletter. Most activities has been carried out within the scopes of four projects, which IDFI currently implements... In full... Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) is a global standard, endorsed by multi-countries and stakeholders, to promote an open and accountable management of natural resources. ''IDFI continues supporting Georgia's engagement in Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative. Implementing the international standard of transparency and accountability will enhance an investment and generally, business environment, will improve corporate governance, promote openness of governmental policy, increase citizen awareness and control on transit and extractive industries, which would contribute to increased trust of citizens to the government officials and decrease the risks of corruption'', is noted in the statement. In full… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. On February 26, 2016, the Public Defender’s Consultative Council for Monitoring the Promotion, Protection and Implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities held its fourth working meeting. The meeting was attended by the Public Defender, representatives of the Public Defender's Office and invited members of the Council. ''The following issues of the agenda were discussed: the efforts carried out and planned for monitoring the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the methodology for monitoring the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities'', is noted in the statement. In full… Source: www.ombudsman.ge

Village Houses were opened in three regions in village Tirdznisi (Shida Kartli), in village Aspindza (Samtskhe Javakheti) and in village Orsantia (Samegrelo). ''Village House will provide the locals with different information and consultation, as well as educational services in farming development issues: special attention will be directed towards women's inclusion and encouraging their participation in farming'', is noted in the statement. In full… Source: Social network

Tbilisi. ''Transparency International – Georgia'' publishes a podcast of the parliamentary news of last week. The following issues have been discussed at the parliament: ''the third wave of a reform of the judicial system, the vacant position of a National Bank board member, ''the amendments to the Administrative Offences Code of Georgia'' - is stated on the web-page of the organization. In full… Source:www.transparency.ge

Tbilisi. Transparency International Georgia publishes a blogpost: "All companies for refurbishment works at the government administration building have been selected without a tender”. ''It is noteworthy to mention hereby that the government administration has not announced a tender for engaging refurbishment works with a total cost of more than 7 million GEL, which would provide an opportunity for saving money on the bases of competitive trade'' – is stated on the web-page of the organization. In total... Source:www.transparency.ge

Tbilisi. On Thursday, February 18th, Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) held Public-Private Dialogue on Regulation of Water Supply Sector in Georgia. The dialogue aimed at covering such topics as perspectives of development of water supply sector, tariff and legislative regulations, as well as changes outlined in frames of DCFTA. In full… Source: Social network

Tbilisi. The ''Association of Young Financiers and Businessmen - AYFB'' presented a concept of development of gambling. An analyst of the organization Zura Kukuladze thoroughly explained how the online casinos, as well as the real gaming houses should be regulated. AYFB offers a package of recommendations. In full… Source: afba.ge

Tbilisi. Non-governmental organizations respond to the constitutional amendments related to the marriage. ''Non-governmental organizations, undersigning the statement, respond to the initiative on the constitutional amendment related to the marriage and call on the Parliament not to support the constitutional amendment, proposed by political parties and various groups, which is inherently contrary to the ideas of freedom and equality of an individual. In our opinion, mentioned initiative represents a populist move that is mostly directed to gain the loyalty of the religious institution and of the majority in a pre-election period and will deepen the problems related to the discrimination and marginalization of LGBT individuals'' – is noted in the joint statement. In full… Source:emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. On February 11, 2016, the Parliamentary Committee of Human Rights and Civil Integration started consideration of the implementation of the recommendations approved by the Parliament’s decree of 3 July concerning the Public Defender’s report on ''Situation of Human Rights and Freedoms in Georgia in 2014''. In full... Source: www.ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. Transparency International Georgia publishes a blogpost: "The court recognized the restriction on lawns business, put in force since 2013, illegal”. ''The court accepted presented conclusion of the examination, according to which it was found that the soil fertility was not damaged due to production of lawn and it did not require restoration. As a result, the court concluded that the activity, implementation of which did not harm, should not be regarded as an act prohibited by law, while the person who carried out mentioned activity – as a perpetrator'' – is stated on the web-page of the organization. In full... Source: www.transparency.ge

Tbilisi. On February 12th, 2016, first meeting of the Permanent Parliamentary Council on Open and Transparent Governance took place at the Palace of Parliament of Georgia. The Chairperson of the Parliament David Usupashvili lead the meeting attended by the MPs, representatives of the non-governmental and international organizations.  In full... Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. Transparency International Georgia publishes a statement about the events developed in Zugdidi regarding the JSC "Metro Georgia”. "According to the position of "Transparency International - Georgia", any action, which is directed towards the separation of a new company from the market of common use and/or the infringement of the rights of already existing carriers via illegal intervention, should not be left without response by the investigative authorities. In the opinion of the organization the Ministry of Interior has not spent sufficient efforts to prevent straining the situation and obstructing the activities of the company "Metro Georgia"" – is stated on the web-page of the organization. In full... Source:transparency.ge

Tbilisi. The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) publishes an article: ''The results of the opacity of the state-owned companies – on the example of the LLC ''United Water Supply Company of Georgia''. ''This time, we will review the data reflected in the declarations presented by them in 2015, which include the incomes gained through the activities performed in 2014. In 2014, by the size of the remuneration have been distinguished Irakli Kovzanadze, the former Executive Director of the JSC Partnership Fund - GEL336 000, and Sulkhan Zumburidze, the Chairman of the Management Board of the JSC Georgian State Electrosystem - GEL 263 374'' – is stated on the web-page of the organization. In full… Source:idfi.ge

Tbilisi. On February 6, 2016 there was held the General Assembly Meeting of the AYEG where the new members of the board were elected. The first meeting of new board of AYEG elected Mr. Mikheil Adeishvili as the Head of The board and Mr. Kakha Daushvili as the Executive Director of AYEG. ‘’Despite the changes within the board and the management, AYEG and its values remain unchanged in regards to the communication with the partner organizations. We are open to investing a quality time and initiative to keep successfully cooperating with our partners. Our goal is to solidify the existing relationships as well as build the new ones through the means of our genuine trust and interest’’, is noted in the statement. In full… Source: Social network

Tbilisi. ''Transparency International – Georgia'' publishes a blogpost: ''Covert patrolling is against the human rights on private life, protected by the Constitution''. ''…Mentioned actions are actually taken in a simplified manner, which fact contains the following risks of violation of human rights, recognized by the Constitution, and abuse of power by the police…'' – is stated on the web-page of the organization. In full… Source: www.transparency.ge

Tbilisi. ''Transparency International – Georgia'' publishes a blogpost: "How properly the official websites of the municipalities of Imereti operate''. ''Within the framework of the inquiry we have studied the legal base, performed the monitoring of electronic resources of the municipalities and the analysis of information received from mentioned electronic resources, we have also examined the issue of functioning of the hotline'' – is stated on the web-page of the organization. In full... Source:www.transparency.ge

Tbilisi. Public organizations call on the Parliament of Georgia to not pass the law, which considers administrative sanctions for insulting religious sentiments of believers. ''The debatable provision does not even contain the text, which, in the case of such public expression, would define the standard of existence of real and substantial threats of violence with the intensity, corresponding to the administrative offence. We believe that this type of legislative record will set an arbitrary and unjustified content related restriction on the freedom of expression and jeopardize free public debates within the society'' – is noted in the joint statement. In full… Source:gyla.ge

Tbilisi. The Public Defender considers that the legislative initiative, both in its content and form, is clearly incompliance with freedom of expression as well as to the requirement of predictability of law and, ultimately, poses danger to democratic development.  ''According to the proposed formulation, the only criterion for restricting freedom of expression is ''insult of believers' religious feelings'', which lacks the opportunity for objective evaluation and fully subordinates one person’s expression to other person’s (believer) control, which virtually grants believers a privilege. In addition, relevant state agencies, when enforcing the law on the basis of the mentioned provision, have to evaluate what can be regarded as "insult of religious feelings'', which grants them wide opportunities for arbitrariness'', is noted in the statement.  In full... Source: www.ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. Public Defender's Statement on the Death of Construction Worker: ''I offer my condolences to the family of the deceased and to the entire society. Even more unfortunate is the fact that despite many such cases, the state still does not take steps to create an effective labor inspection, which, first of all, would serve prevention of similar facts and would save lives and health of many people working in danger conditions'', is noted in the statement.  In full... Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. Non-governmental organizations call on the Parliament to review the report of the National Bank of Georgia at the plenary session. ''We call on the Parliament of Georgia to respect the legislation of Georgia and to take into consideration the public interest, to comply with the imperative requirement, defined by the rules of procedure of the Parliament, and to review the report of the National Bank of Georgia at the plenary session'' – is stated on the web-page of the organization. In full… Source:www.cida.ge