Tbilisi. ”Social Justice Center”, “Rights Georgia” and “Women’s Initiatives Support Group” respond to the fact of obstruction of activities of trustees of the Public Defender of Georgia by the administration of a Javakheti Ninotsminda Saint Nino boarding school, N(N)LE of the Patriarchate of the Georgian Orthodox Church for orphan and homeless children, as well as those deprived of parental care. “We, the signatory organizations, call on the state to take all measures for unwavering protection of rights of children in religious boarding schools and bringing these institutions under real and effective monitoring of the state”. Read more… Source: rights.ge

Tbilisi. Social Justice Center presents an article by Tamta Melashvili: “Beyond emancipation and exploitation: Women at collective farms in Soviet Georgia”. “This article serves as my attempt to develop a rough idea of how women worked and, in rare cases, succeeded to be promoted in collective farms in Georgia in practice, how they maneuvered when promoted within male-dominated authority fields, and what their agency was like. I will try to adjust experience of Izolda beyond dichotomous representation of a woman emancipated in the communist regime or a woman exploited by the same regime (Fidelis, 2010). Read more… Source: socialjustice.org.ge

Tbilisi. Georgian Democracy Initiative provides an overview of proposals related to rule of law and judicial reform included in the agreement document presented by President of the European Council. Read more… Source: The website of the organization

Tbilisi. Part of civil society organizations releases a statement regarding a new document presented by President of the European Council during the mediation process. “Charles Michel, President of the European Council, offered a new, compromise proposal to parties involved in the mediation process so as to overcome the political crisis existing in Georgia. The proposal envisages response to issues perceived as politicized justice, electoral and judicial reforms, the issue of redistribution of power in the Parliament and deadlines for its implementation. The document may not fully reflect all demands and interests of involved parties, however, a compromise means agreement on such disputed issues and reaching a consensus”, - is noted in the statement. Read more… Source: isfed.ge

Samtskhe-Javakheti. Social Justice Center publishes a video, in which local activists and young people share concerns about difficulties and social challenges of their life in Javakheti. “High migration and thousands of local people left without a status of citizenship, poverty, undeveloped social infrastructure, cheating practices of casinos in Akhalkalaki, weak policy of youth employment - this is the basic list of those social problems, which people in Javakheti face”. Read more… Source: socialjustice.org.ge

Tbilisi. The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) presents a brief summary of main findings provided in the 2020 report of the US Department of State and an overview of important issues emphasized by civil society organizations, the Office of the Public Defender, media and the international community during the reporting period. “In regard to protection of human rights there were identified the following key problems: significant challenges existing in terms of independence of the judiciary; politically motivated investigations and prosecutions; cases of unlawful encroachment on the right to privacy; interference with the right to peaceful assembly and expression; and violent or threatening crimes committed against LGBT people”. Read more… Source: gyla.ge

Kakheti. In Tsnori, a USAID-supported knowledge café needed fundraising to build a new building. ”Traditional methods did not appear sufficient. In March, in order to raise funds, USAID supported the café in launching Bootcamp - a new experiment for Georgian students. What was the challenge? Young people had 10 days to gain GEL 200 or 300 from GEL 100. 29 teams, participating in the first round, managed to raise money through both selling goods and donations. 20 teams succeeded to move to the second round, with the help of coaching, provided by a startup entrepreneur, they handled to double or triple GEL 200. In the end, these young entrepreneurs collected GEL 35 387 for the knowledge café and, at the same time, improved their business skills”. Read more... Source: The website of the organization on a social network

Tbilisi. Women’s Movement expresses unconditional solidarity with Ninutsa Makashvili. We hope that the state of Georgia and society will be united in fight against violence, while each attempt of its justification will be strongly condemned. “A few days ago, on the air of Rustavi 2, Ninutsa Makashvili, an actress, spoke about her painful personal experience, according to which years ago she became a victim of systematic domestic violence committed by Beso Zanguri, an actor, her then-husband. In our country, where domestic violence is unfortunately a frequent occurrence, while society is still insufficiently intolerant of this type of crime, victims need to mobilize great strength and courage in order to talk about their experiences openly and publicly. In this reality, even more appreciated and exemplary is the decision of Ninutsa Makashvili to speak loudly about the violence committed by Beso Zanguri, her ex-husband, an actor of Rustaveli National Theater. We believe that her courage will be contagious and become a motivation for many women. It is unacceptable for us that Beso Zanguri, a person exposed in a dangerous crime of domestic violence, who has neither been held responsible for nor expressed any regrets, stands on the stage of Rustaveli National Theater and continues his career as if nothing has happened. Therefore, we demand to have Beso Zanguri quit his professional activities in the theater until the investigation in the case is completed...” Read more... Source: The website of the Movement on a social network

Tbilisi. Women’s Fund in Georgia responds to current developments in the Rioni Valley and expresses its solidarity with guards of the Valley. “We consider that by restricting freedom of assembly and expression, the Government of Georgia grossly violates constitutional rights of its citizens, applies a disproportionate, repressive police force against participants of a peaceful protest, restricts the right of citizens to movement, and escalates the situation in the Valley. Besides, it is completely unacceptable and outrageous to demolish tents of guards of the Valley, cultivate the gathering place, erect a wall, and apply unethical attempts to harm the reputation of guards in order to discredit them. We address relevant agencies to immediately stop violence against people in favor of the company “Enka”... Read more... Source: The website of the organization  

Tbilisi. Social Justice Center (formerly EMC) responds to the fact of detention of Giorgi Mumladze, a civil activist, during a rally held on April 14, 2021, in front of the office of the “Georgian Dream” party. The organization notes that the investigation launched against him under Article 353 Part 1 of the Criminal Code creates a dangerous precedent in terms of freedom of expression and democratic order. “The tendency of use of an unjustified police force against civil activists during last period of time deserves criticism and concern. At the same time, response of the state to facts of unjustified restriction of the right to assembly and manifestation is weak and ineffective, which has a negative effect on exercising this right”. Read more… Source: socialjustice.org.ge

Tbilisi. Georgian Center for Strategy and Development (GCSD) presents a study: “Use of artificial intelligence while confronting information operations carried out against Georgia”. Visit the link to find full version of the study... “...Using artificial intelligence, fact-checking organizations can combat disinformation and fake news more effectively, mark messages and respond accordingly. Regardless of its perspective, artificial intelligence should not be perceived as a universal way of solving a problem, like other techniques, artificial intelligence also raises ethical and legal questions”... Source: The website of the organization on a social network

On 12 April 2021, the Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) published the Fourth Evaluation Round second compliance report for Georgia, where it assesses the country’s compliance with the recommendations issued in 2016.  By the IDFI, The low progress in implementing the GRECO recommendations clearly indicates a transition to a passive phase in the fight against corruption in the country. Out of 11 recommendations to be implemented for the prevention of corruption, the country managed to fully implement only two recommendations within 18 months, while the remaining nine recommendations are still to be implemented. The need to take action against corruption is also evidenced by the fact that in 2020, most of the international rankings indicate a deterioration of the corruption situation in the country, one of the reasons for which is high levels of corruption. At the end of the first quarter of 2021, the Georgian government has not yet adopted a new Anti-Corruption Action Plan for 2021-2022.  Read more…   Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. Georgian Democracy Initiative (GDI) responds to developments that took place on April 14, 2021, at the office of the Georgian Dream party and considers that police actions are aimed at unjustifiably restricting freedom of assembly, while applying mechanisms of criminal justice against activists is one more step taken towards an authoritarian regime. “We call on the Government of Georgia to stop criminal prosecution and use of repressive policies against civil activists for their protest within the framework of the right to assembly and manifestation and act in accordance with constitutional principles”, - is noted in the statement released by GDI. Read more… Source: The website of the organization

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. Social Justice Center states that the Government does not leave a space for dialogue around Namakhvani HPP. “Developments that took place yesterday were not the first case of demonstration of force against participants of a rally opposing construction of Namakhvani HPP. The Government, in official statements, declares its readiness for dialogue, on the one hand, while on the other hand, by mobilizing numerous police forces in the valley, imposing unjustified restrictions and violating rights of local population grossly, it contributes to escalation of the process itself and does not leave a space for substantive, constructive dialogue”, - is noted in the statement released by the organization. Read more… Source: The website of the organization

Tbilisi. Media Advocacy Coalition considers that the National Communications Commission once again goes beyond its authority. “We, Media Advocacy Coalition member organizations, consider that conducting an international audit of companies, measuring TV ratings, on the initiative and funding of the Communications Commission goes beyond the competence of the regulatory body and limits of the authority granted to it by law”, - is noted in the statement. Read more… Source:qartia.ge

Tbilisi. Group of Independent Lawyers, Rights Georgia and Social Justice Center address To Venice Commission of the Council of Europe.  “On April 1, the Parliament of Georgia adopted amendments to the Law on Common Courts, which also provide for changes in the procedure for the selection of judges of the Supreme Court by the High Council of Justice. Despite the fact that this legislative act is improving the standards of transparency and reasoning of HCOJ decisions, we believe that these procedural amendments cannot change the situation in the judiciary”, - is read in the address.  Read more…   Source: socialjustice.org

Imereti. The Kutaisi Court of Appeals announced its decision on the case of construction of a new mosque in Batumi and left the verdict of the Batumi City Court unchanged. The Court of Appeals agreed with the argument of the Batumi City Court regarding unlawfulness of a refusal of the Batumi City Hall to issue the first stage permit for construction of a new mosque in Batumi and discriminatory treatment of plaintiffs on religious grounds. Interests of a foundation to support construction of a new mosque in Batumi are defended in court by the Tolerance and Diversity Institute (TDI) and Social Justice Center (formerly EMC). Read more… Source: tdi.ge

Tbilisi. Non-governmental organizations have addressed US senators with a letter concerning the crisis in Georgia.  According to the letter, prolongation of the crisis in Georgia only benefits the Kremlin at a time when the country is facing serious geopolitical threats while resolving the crisis and ensuring the country’s democratic development are important factors for Georgia’s quick accession to the Euro-Atlantic structures.  Read more…   Source: osgf.ge

Tbilisi. The Open Society Georgia Foundation (OSGF) responds to developments that take place in the Rioni Valley. “We respond to developments, taking place in the Rioni Valley, and consider that it is not understandable and justifiable to set “block posts” in the direction of the village of Namakhvani and restrict freedom of movement for citizens of Georgia on the territory of the country. Besides, police dismantled tents of activists and the local population, where there was held a continuous, peaceful protest for 169 days. The argument, presented by the Ministry of Internal Affairs to justify this, does not meet basic requirements for interference with the right that is stipulated by the Constitution of Georgia and human rights standards”, - is noted in the statement released by the organization. Read more… Source: The website of the organization

Tbilisi. The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) releases a statement in regard to developments around the Namakhvani HPP project. “It is almost six months now that there takes place a continuous peaceful protest in Georgia against the Namakhvani HPP project. During the last period of time, the state has intensified the use of various policy measures, including blocking the road from Kutaisi to Namakhvani. Almost 10 days have passed since the restriction of freedom of movement. The State has not presented any convincing argument so far to substantiate the legality of the restriction. Developments evolved alarmingly on April 11, when police dismantled tents of participants of the protest and, at the same time, restricted lawyers/human rights defenders and journalists to enter the area”, - is noted in the statement. Read more…  Source: The website of the organization

Tbilisi. By TI, the actions taken by the state in the Rioni gorge grossly violate constitutional rights and freedoms namely, freedom of movement and freedom of expression. “Other than this, the state has not yet pursued a proper policy and has not conducted an adequate dialogue with the population. It is alarming that the repressive police force has again been chosen as a way to address the issue. The police and the protesters have again been left face to face. By taking such steps, the state further deepens distrust of law enforcement agencies and damages their reputation in the eyes of the public. We call on the authorities to end the unjustified, disproportionate, and arbitrary restrictions on the freedom of expression and freedom of movement, to give the “Rioni Gorge Defenders” the opportunity to protest peacefully, and to choose a way of dialogue with the protesters to address the issue”, - Is mentioned in the information TI spared. Read more…  Source: The web-page of the organization