Tbilisi. Social Justice Center publishes a video about violations related to the Namakhvani construction. “Environmental and construction permits for the cascade of Namakhvani hydropower plants were issued under specific conditions without mandatory examinations and thorough study, as stipulated by law. More than a year has passed since permits were issued, however, the company has not completely submitted additional inspections to the state yet. With works carried out on the site, Enka violates conditions of both environmental and construction permits”. Read more… Source:socialjustice.org.ge

Abkhazia. USAID/Georgia is providing emergency health assistance to help communities in Abkhazia respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Since June 2020, we have partnered with UNICEF to provide 6,000 liters of hand sanitizer and 350 hand sanitizer dispensers to all public schools across Abkhazia. This is just one example of how USAID/Georgia is helping combat COVID-19 in all regions of Georgia, including Abkhazia”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. On May 17, 2021, the Public Defender published Report on Positive Obligations of Law Enforcement Officers to Protect the Equality of Vulnerable Groups. “The report assesses the effectiveness of investigations of alleged hate crimes committed against Jehovah's Witnesses and members of the LGBT+ community in 2015-2020. The report also highlights the recent violations of the freedom of assembly and freedom of expression of LGBT+ persons. At the end of the document, the Public Defender offers recommendations to the law enforcement agencies relating to the measures to be taken to eliminate hate crimes and improve the realization of freedom of expression and freedom of assembly of LGBT+ people”. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. The Coalition for an Independent and Transparent Judiciary calls on the Parliament of Georgia to start working on a reform of the justice system promptly. And ensure that the High Council of Justice is made up of qualified and reliable members. “As it is known to public, one of the key issues of the agreement signed between the Government and the opposition on April 19 is an ambitious reform of the judiciary. Conscientious implementation of terms of this agreement is important for stability of political processes in the country and reduction of severe effects of the current multi-layered crisis. At the same time, work on each clause of the agreement should be carried out with high public involvement and mutual respect of political actors, which goes along also with the spirit of the April 19 agreement”, - is noted in the joint statement. Read more… Source: gyla.ge

Samtskhe-Javakheti. UNICEF Representative in Georgia, Ghassan Khalil got his first doze of COVID-19 vaccine in Akhaltsikhe within the national immunization plan. "Vaccination is crucial in combating this pandemic which is affecting every one of us and children as well. No one is safe until everyone is safe." - says Dr. Khalil  Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. UNICEF publishes the article: What you need to know before, during and after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.  Before you go, do your research. There’s a lot of misinformation about vaccines online, so it’s important to always get your information from trustworthy sources like UNICEF and WHO. Talk to your doctor: If you’ve ever experienced a severe allergic reaction from any vaccine or you have any questions about the medications you are currently taking, talk to your health care provider before your appointment.  Take care of yourself: get a good night’s rest and hydrate well before your vaccination so you can feel your best on the day.  During the appointment: stay safe: make sure to follow safety precautions at the vaccination facility such as physical distancing while waiting and wearing a mask.  Communicate: let the health care professional know if you have any medical conditions that could be considered precautions, such as pregnancy or a compromised immune system. Keep your records: you should receive a vaccination card that tells you which COVID-19 vaccine you received, when you received it and where you received it. After you’ve been vaccinated: stay for monitoring. The health care provider should observe you for about 15 minutes after the vaccine is administered to make sure you don’t have any immediate reactions. However, it is extremely rare for severe health reactions. Be prepared for some side effects. Be patient: Building immunity takes time. Keep yourself and others safe: it is important to continue practicing safety precautions to protect yourself and others, including avoiding crowded spaces, physical distancing, hand washing and wearing a mask. Read more… Source: www.unicef.org

Tbilisi. Social Justice Center (formerly EMC) responds to developments taking place in Dmanisi and calls on the state to take immediate and effective measures so as to ensure a safe and peaceful environment on the ground. In the opinion of the organization, this requires the Ministry of Internal Affairs to mobilize additional police forces on the ground and high-ranking officials to get engaged in order to defuse the situation. “Last night there was spread information about violence and conflict in Dmanisi, which, at first glance, started on ordinary grounds and further turned into a large-scale confrontation and violence between Svan eco-migrants and representatives of the Azerbaijani community in Georgia”. Read more… Source: The website of the organization on a social network

Tbilisi. On International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOTB) we reaffirm our commitment to supporting equal human rights protections for all Georgians, including members of the LGBTQI+ community.  “As part of our efforts to strengthen the Rule of Law in Georgia, USAID is currently partnering with two organizations, the Equality Movement and the Women’s Initiatives Supporting Group, to protect the rights of LGBTQI+ persons. The Women’s Initiatives Supporting Group is providing legal services to members of the LGBTQI+ community who have been victims of hate crimes, discrimination, or violence. The organization is also working to advance legal precedents for protecting the rights of persons with disabilities. The Equality Movement is combatting workplace discrimination through evidence-based advocacy and awareness raising activities, working toward a future where Georgia’s labor market is free from discrimination”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. The Media Development Foundation (MDF) has prepared the present report within the framework of the research project implemented by Open Information Partnership. Think tanks from 5 countries (Poland, Lithuania, Georgia, Estonia, Czech Republic) have studied the issue of advertising the products of local companies on Kremlin propaganda websites through Google Ads. The Media Development Foundation participated in the research from Georgia. The report reflects Georgia’s findings. The report provides key findings of the research, methodology; a separate chapter is dedicated to how Google Ads works. The first part of the report covers the issue of Georgian companies’ advertising on Kremlin propaganda websites; the second part is about the ads placed on Sputnik news agency operating in Georgia and the third part involves information about which company responded to the research findings. The final part reviews the profiles of those media outlets that are Kremlin propaganda platforms. Read more… Source: www.mdfgeorgia.ge

Tbilisi. May 17 is International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. On this day, LGBT+ people, activists and supporters once again remind the public of the importance of equality and call for their solidarity. “Unfortunately, with the increase in the visibility of the LGBT+ community in recent years, the number of violations of their rights has also increased, which is often ineffectively responded by the State. The lack of state policy and vision relating to the rights situation of LGBT+ people encourages human rights violations, including discriminatory crimes, against them. The Public Defender once again calls on the relevant governmental agencies and officials to take effective preventive and responsive actions against alleged crimes and violations committed against LGBT+ people; plan activities to raise awareness of equality in society; make public statements in support of vulnerable groups, including the LGBT+ community”. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Imereti. On May 13, a representative of the Kutaisi branch of the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association visited the village of Shukruti in Chiatura Municipality, where local population have been protesting for 87 days against irreversible damage that mining activities of the company “Georgian Manganese” cause to the natural and social environment of the village. “During this time, three locals have exercised an extreme form of protest and sewn their mouths shut due to neglect of demands of participants of the action by both the state and mentioned company. According to explanation of residents of Shukruti, the environment has been polluted irreversibly as a result of activities of the company “Georgian Manganese”. Living in the village has become dangerous for locals, as their houses have turned uninhabitable due to damage caused by activities of the company, besides, they cannot use plots of land under their possession for agricultural purposes any longer, thus remaining without income”. Read more… Source: gyla.ge

Tbilisi. Social Justice Center (formerly EMC) responds to the protest taking place in the village of Shukruti of Chiatura Municipality and makes a special statement.  “On May 11, the 85th day of the protest, several residents of Shukruti exercised an extreme form of protest and had their mouths sewn, however, the mining company, as well as local and central authorities, remain indifferent to their demands. As a matter of fact, the company operates under an indefinite license and is distinguished with opaque practices. Public concerns in regard to extraction causing harm to the natural and social environment of the entire village deserve immediate study and response. Although the protest has started in the fall of 2019, the local Government systematically ignores it, thus leaving the population of the village face-to-face with the mining company, while “Georgian Manganese” avoids its responsibility and, despite verbal promises, refuses to entertain demands”. Read more… Source: socialjustice.org.ge

Tbilisi. On May 13, there was conducted a working meeting, organized by the Women's Information Center and aimed to present a working draft of an alternative report on implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) as well as to reflect recommendations. “The report is prepared with the involvement of 18 non-governmental organizations and 3 networks, working in the field of gender equality and empowerment of women, and aims to provide the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women with alternative information about rights of women, as stipulated by the Convention, measures taken by the state and progress in Georgia”, - is stated on the website of the organization. Read more... Source: The website of the organization on a social network

Samtskhe-Javaxeti. UNICEF, with financial support from USAID/Georgia, organized another information session hosted by the representatives from National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, and the prominent health experts, for the Medical personnel in Akhalkalaki. COVID-19 and the immunization process in Georgia were discussed during the meeting. Read more…  Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Ozurgeti. According the information of the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information, in 2018, Article 17 of the updated Constitution of Georgia received a new amendment, according to which "everyone has the right to access the Internet and use the Internet freely". “As such, the amendment means that the state has a positive obligation to make the Internet widely available. IDFI actively advocated for this amendment to the Constitution of Georgia. Please find the overview of the implementation of the pilot project of the state program for broadband infrastructure development in Georgia”. Source: idfi.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

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. According to the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI), an analysis of questions, posed in regard to the coronavirus pandemic, reveals that only a small number of MPs of the previous convocation have used the opportunity to ask a parliamentary question and thus exercise control. The organization anticipates that MPs of the new convocation will pay significant attention to the effective execution of parliamentary control and actively use all mechanisms available at their disposal, including the opportunity to pose parliamentary questions. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

UNICEF colleagues are getting COVID-19 vaccines under the national immunization plan. "Vaccination is the only way to defeat the pandemic and get back to normal life". Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. According to information released by the Council of Europe Office in Georgia, it was the 10th anniversary of the Istanbul Convention on May 11. Whom does the Istanbul Convention protect? “The Convention protects life; It brings hope and a sense of security to millions of women and girls. It makes violence against women public. It supports victims to talk, provides professionals with the opportunity to assist and gives girls and women confidence. It protects people from domestic violence, regardless of how the country legally defines family and marriage. It strengthens respect for women and facilitates equality of girls and women”. Read more... Source: The website of the organization on a social network

Tbilisi. According to the Gender Informational Portal, the Permanent Parliamentary Gender Equality Council has taken into account agreements and comments, made at the sitting, and approved the 2021 Action Plan, which outlines six areas of activities of the Council. In particular, Establish main directions of the gender policy of the state; Create and improve legal framework in the field of gender equality; Refine state mechanisms for gender equality; Strengthen the Parliamentary Gender Equality Council institutionally; Raise awareness on gender equality; Monitor implementation of the gender policy of the state. Read more... Source: ginsc.net

Tbilisi. Are you ready to challenge your knowledge?  Take this quiz and share your results with us in the comments…  Source: The EU’s page on the social network