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. In the context of the pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus in Georgia, members of the Special Preventive Group of the Public Defender studied the epidemiological situation and protection of patients' rights at Tbilisi Mental Health Center. “The monitoring showed that patients at Tbilisi Mental Health Center are not protected from violence, inhuman or degrading treatment. They are not provided with psycho-social rehabilitation services, while the infrastructure fails to ensure the protection of their dignity. The Public Defender calls on the State to respond to the acute problems at the facility in a timely manner”. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. According to an assessment of the Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC), an agreement signed between the Government and “Enka Renewables” LLC., an investor, in regard to the Namakhvani project makes it clear that not only the project is going to fail to contribute to energy security of the country, as announced by the Government, but also the agreement anticipates heavy and indefinite fiscal impact on the state budget. The analysis of the agreement reveals that the company uses natural resources of Georgia actually free of charge and does not take the responsibility to sell energy on a domestic market, which invalidates even arguments about energy security or economic benefits of the country. Read more… Source: emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. GIP is joining the International Women’s Day Celebration and launching a week-long social media campaign under the framework of the project “Promoting Youth Transformational Leaders in Georgia". The campaign aims at raising awareness about the issues related to gender equality and to promote women’s social-political engagement in Georgia. For that matter, we are excited to share with you the powerful stories of some of our female participants of Emerging Leaders School #ELS2021, who strive to make meaningful impact and positive changes in their communities.  Each day until March 8 we will manifest their contribution as change-makers and hope you enjoy and get inspired. The initiative - Emerging Leaders School (ELS) is being implemented within the framework of the project “Promoting Youth Transformational Leaders in Georgia” by Georgian Institute of Politics (GIP)with the financial support of USAID/Georgia. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. Transparency International Georgia has studied the National Plan for COVID-19 Vaccine Deployment document within the limits of its competence and found that the plan does not include any corruption-related risk assessment or measures against dishonest actions. In order to lower corruption risks in the process of immunization, it is necessary to: Add a component of/section on integrity to the national plan for vaccine deployment; Introduce a mechanism for reporting and responding to violations related to the immunization process; Add an integrity component to the training program provided for by the immunization plan; Conduct the process of immunization in conformity with the principle of complete transparency, so that representatives of civil society and any concerned citizen have the opportunity to observe the process. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. According to the information of the CENN, in Georgia, 40% of the waste on landfills is organic waste, large portion of which is food products. Food waste that decomposes in landfills releases carbon dioxide and methane, the latter being a greenhouse gas that is at least 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. An interactive map has been developed in collaboration with the Council of Europe and the Office of the Ombudsman aiming to create one space where organizations, working on issues related to discrimination, hate speech or hate motivated crimes, can find services they need. “If you are a victim of discrimination and need a legal, psychological, medical, social worker or shelter assistance, go to the website... Find an interactive map that provides detailed information about services offered by non-governmental organizations and state agencies to victims of discrimination. Please, email us at: info@ombudsman.ge if you would like information about a service provided by your organization to be placed on the map”. Read more… Source: The website of “I Choose Equality” in a social network

Tbilisi. The Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) publishes a video footage prepared within the framework of the project – “Promoting and Enabling Legal Capacity in Georgia”. “In 2014, the Constitutional Court restored deprived civil rights of hundreds of people with disabilities. They are no longer given the status of incapable and no guardian is appointed to look after them. In independent life, they are now assisted by a supporter of their choice”. Read more… Source: emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. According to Transparency International Georgia the decision by the Tbilisi Court of Appeals which ruled against the organization is unsubstantiated to such a degree that it raises questions with regard to the impartiality of the judiciary and threatens the high standards of the freedom of speech and expression established by the judiciary so far. “We hope that the Supreme Court will make an objective assessment of the decision made by the court of lower instance and that the court of cassation will maintain the high standard of the freedom of speech and expression it has established”. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

Imereti. The Open Society Georgia Foundation supports population and activists contesting construction of the Namakhvani HPP. “The intense protest of local population is caused by the fact that geological and ecological peculiarities of the existing project have not been substantially studied, while both economic and social justifications of the project are vague. This is also proved by the fact that the positive environmental assessment, made in February 2020, was changed in September of the same year, thus depriving the company of a legal permit to carry out preparatory works. Nevertheless, the company still continues to perform technical works unlawfully”, - is stated on the website of the organization. Read more… Source: osgf.ge

Tbilisi. The Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC), on behalf of “Batomi”, a civil society organization, contests a permit issued for construction of a 19-storey hotel complex on Batumi Boulevard. “Batomi” and EMC consider that a decision made by the Adjara Cultural Heritage Protection Agency is unequivocally unlawful and irreversibly, as well as substantially damages the immovable site of cultural heritage – Batumi Boulevard. Read more… Source: emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. Representatives of the media and civil society, call on high-ranking decision-makers, the Prime Minister of Georgia, members of Parliament, and the Chairman of the Georgian Dream party: Stop aggressive rhetoric and incitement of hatred towards representatives of media… “The state propaganda machine labels critical media as political opponents and promotes intolerance towards them. In a politically polarized society, such an attitude towards the media encourages further attacks. Politically motivated lawsuits are being filed against media representatives. The broadcasting regulatory authority is politicized and seeks to impose censorship”. Read more… Source: gyla.ge

Tbilisi. According to the information of the Georgian Institute of Politics a plan to submit a formal application for EU membership by 2024 was announced recently by the ruling Georgian Dream party. "At the invitation of the organization a selection of experts from France, Germany and Sweden have given their responses to the following three questions: Considering current challenges in the EU, what could be the costs and benefits for Georgia’s European ambitions of an initiative to apply for EU membership in 2024? If Georgia does decide to apply for EU membership, would it be wiser to do so alone or together with Ukraine and/or Moldova? What strategy/tactics do you recommend to the government of Georgia (and other EaP countries) to best handle the EU’s scepticism towards the European aspirations of the EU associated countries?" Read more… Source: gip.ge

Tbilisi. Human Rights House Foundation and Human Rights House Tbilisi condemn recent actions by the Georgian authorities to limit freedoms of expression and assembly, linked with the political crisis which has engulfed the country during past months. „These actions include attempts to silence dissenting and critical voices, detention of peaceful protesters and smear campaign launched against the country’s Ombudsperson by the MPs from the ruling party. We call on the Georgian authorities to reverse these recent actions and take immediate steps to protect human rights in line with Georgia’s international obligations“. Read more… Source: humanrightshouse.org

Imereti. On February 23, 2021, the Samtredia District Court, on the basis of a lawsuit submitted by the Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC), declared dismissal of 3 social workers from the “Social Service Agency” unlawful and ordered the new agency to reinstate them in their jobs as well as to pay full compensation. Read more… Source: emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. TI Georgia strongly condemns the violent attack against Formula TV journalist Vakho Sanaia. “We call on the authorities to effectively investigate this incident and punish those responsible to the full extent of the law. This incident is the result of the government's aggressive and hateful rhetoric against the critical media, journalists and people who hold different opinions. Accordingly, these actions encourage this kind of violence which endangers freedom of speech and expression. We call on the representatives of the ruling party to realize their role in this process, to stop their aggressive rhetoric towards critical media, to publicly condemn any form of violence against journalists, and to ensure a safe environment for media activities”, is noted in the statement. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. On February 25, IDFI and the National Parliamentary Library of Georgia organized the opening of an exhibition in the Maro Makashvili Garden of the third building of the Library. The exhibition was dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the occupation. “Exhibition artworks can be viewed online at the following link..., while from March 1, the May 26 Hall at the second building of the National Library may be visited to see them. The purpose of the exhibition is to expose people fighting for freedom and the national spirit, honor those sacrificed for the idea of independence of the country”. Read more… Source: The website of the organization in a social network

Tbilisi. Georgian Democracy Initiative (GDI), together with the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy, publishes a full version of an (ISFED) survey – “Democracy and human rights during pandemic and state of emergency”, carried out through the financial support of the Open Society Georgia Foundation. Survey... The survey contains a review of a legal framework for the management of epidemics; international experience; the constitutionality of restrictions imposed by the Government of Georgia. Source: gdi.ge https://csogeorgia.org/ge/newsPost/27066

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 information released by the Coalition for Independent Living, from January 11, mobile support groups have resumed their work in Adjara, Guria and Samegrelo regions using adapted vehicles to provide free services to people with disabilities. Mobile groups consist of: mobility assistant, nurse, physical and occupational therapists. Read more… Source: The website of the organization in a social network

Tbilisi. Georgian Young Lawyers Association releases a statement on the assessment of the events of February 23rd. “Unfortunately, the Georgian government has failed to defuse the current political crisis and de-escalate the ongoing processes through peaceful negotiations. The authorities did not heed the multiple calls. The arrest of the leader of the opposition party through the police forces has aggravated the current situation. It is important that the Georgian government take constructive steps to bring the country out of the political crisis, while also preventing interference with the right of assembly/ demonstration and allowing demonstrators to exercise their constitutionally guaranteed rights”. Read more… Source: gyla.ge

Tbilisi. UNDP invites women and girls from Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, Imereti and Shida Kartli regions to join training courses in graphic design and web coding. Training is delivered by the UNDP's partner organization GeoLab • ჯეოლაბი.  Deadline for applications: 12 March 2021;  Registrations forms: Graphic design... Coding... Source: The organization’s page on the social network