Tbilisi. Transparency International – Georgia has released next podcast of parliamentary news. The edition includes the following topics: submission by the President of Georgia of the Supreme Court Chair nominee to the legislative body; amendments to draft Laws "on the State Secret" and "Broadcasting". Podcast of parliamentary news (geo)... Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. To celebrate the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of Georgia in 1921, the Georgian Young Constitutionalists' Association has hosted a reception. In addition, winners for contributing to the development of Georgian constitutionalism were announced at the event. Symbolic prize was awarded to Doctor of Law Davit Zedelashvili. Constitutionalists and representatives of CSOs and state authorities have attended the event. Source: the organization's web page in the social network.

Tbilisi. Part of CSOs has protested at the Supreme Court against Kote Kublashvili's chairmanship of the Supreme Court. The organizations have adopted a joint statement. The statement (geo)... Source: barristers.ge

Tbilisi. On 16 March 2015 the UN Human Rights Committee will examine the report by the Russian Federation. GYLA and the National Institute of Human Rights, in partnership with the Human Rights Priority, have submitted a parallel report with the Committee. The report describes violations of rights of Georgian citizens due to the August 2008 war, after the war, and erection of barbed-wire defenses. Barbed-wire defenses are still being erected, aimed at marking the border. Report by GYLA and partner organizations... Source: the organization's web page in the social network.

Tbilisi. The Caucasian House has posted in the social network public lecture by the Tbilisi State University's MA degree candidate, Levan Lortkipanidze, "Greens' Movement", which covers the history of the European as well as Georgian movements. The Greens' Movement (geo)...        Source: the organization's web page in the social network.

Tbilisi. Transparency International – Georgia has released the blog: "Instead of subsidizing medications, the state should focus on the socially unprotected". For the full text... Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. Society "Memorial" and the Institute for the Development of Freedom of Information are organizing the exhibition on February 25 on the Rustaveli Avenue: "Sovietization Consequences in Georgia in the Form of Lists and Photos of Former Political Prisoners". The exhibition will continue on February 26-27 in the Literature Museum. The event aims to commemorate the occupation of democratic Georgia by the Soviet Russia in 1921. For the full text. Source: the organization's web page in the social network.

Tbilisi. The Georgian Young Constitutionalists' Association has reacted to the discussion over statement by the Foreign Affairs Minister of the Russian Federation, Sergey Lavrov, which had triggered mixed evaluations by the Georgian state authorities and the civil society. "... We would like to stress once again that only our state and respective international organizations are authorized to decide on affiliation in concrete structures. Hence, it is unacceptable that any third party affects this process. ... As for the comments by civil servants on Sergey Lavrov's statement, the Association believes the state should not follow frequent attempts of provocation from Russia and should expressly head towards the Western route chosen by the Georgian people", the organization's web page states. For the full text. Source: the organization's web page in the social network.

Tbilisi. Transparency International – Georgia has released information on tenders carried out by the Senaki Municipality Local Administration. For the full text. Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. CSO "Jumpstart Georgia" has released GEL devaluation calculator. It calculates any person's property from GEL into USD by using two different rates (1.76 and 2.08). Afterwards it calculates a difference to demonstrate how your property has devaluated in USD over last 3 months. For the full text. Source: Jumpstart Georgia.

Tbilisi. CSO "Young Barristers" has held a press conference. The organization plans to hold a rally on February 23 in front of the Supreme Court "due to the end of KonstantineKublashvili's decade-long rule of the Georgian judicial system", the organization's web page states. For the full text. Source: barristers.ge

Tbilisi. CSOs have released a joint appeal over draft Law of Georgia "on the State Secret". In the nearest days the Parliament of Georgia plans to examine at the second hearing the draft Law of Georgia "on the State Secret". "This Law should replace its preceding legislative act adopted around 20 years ago, in 1996. Current version of the draft Law basically reiterates the provisions and structure of the current Law in effect, is inconsistent with international standards, and contains numerous gaps, adopting and not improving of which we find totally unjustified", the joint appeal states. For the full text. Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. First graduates of the Civil Society Institute's (CSI) distance learning were awarded with certificates on February 19. The first cycle of e-learning covered two topics – research methods and public policy analysis. Classes built on the classical distance learning model were launched on October 27 and completed on December 28. 80 students were enrolled. Research methods were presented by Iago Kachkachishvili, and the public policy analysis - by Keti Melikadze. Graduates have noted that the distance learning method is rather comfortable for deepening knowledge, especially for citizens residing in regions. They are satisfied with the quality of video lectures and reading literature. At this stage, lectures are being delivered on two courses of the cycle – advocacy and lobbying (presented by Vazha Salamadze), public finances (presented by Misha Dzagania and Otar Kikvadze). 90 students are enrolled in both courses. CSO representatives as well as students are eligible to take online courses. Second learning cycle will start in spring.

Tbilisi. CSO "Green Alternative" has released a statement on February 19 over construction of the Khudoni Hydroelectric Plant. In the statement the organization "demands that the agreement executed on 28 April 2011 between the Government of Georgia, Trans Electrica Limited, Trans Electrica Limited (Georgia), "Energotrans" LLC and "Electrical Energy System Commercial Operator" LLC on the construction of the 702 megawatt Khudoni Hydroelectric Plant in Zemo Svaneti is annulled". Further, the organization states that "the Government of Georgia must refuse to execute a new agreement with the same company or renew the current one". For the full text (geo)... Source: greenalt.org

Tbilisi. Transparency International – Georgia released a new blog concerning the candidates submitted to the National Communications Commission. The powers of three Commission members expire on March 12, and the Parliament must elect three new members from nine candidates submitted by the President. For the full text (geo)... Source: transparency.ge

Samegrelo. GYLA's Zugdidi Office has hosted a round table on February 17, where the study on the "State Policy on Providing IDPs with Accommodation" was presented. In addition, a video "IDP Stories" was shown at the meeting, produced by the organization's Zugdidi Office. "IDP Stories" (geo)...     Source: the organization's web page in the social network.

Tbilisi. CSO "Helping Hand" is organizing an annual volunteering exhibition on March 7 in the "Courtyard Marriott" Hotel. CSOs have an opportunity to participate in the exhibition, inform audience about their programs, and attract volunteers. For the full text (geo)...

Tbilisi. CSO "Initiative for Rehabilitation of Vulnerable Groups" has presented on February 18 a legislative analysis of protection of children's personal data in the penitentiary and probation systems. According to the organization's head Anton (Tato) Kelbakiani, "today, data on the children are available to persons and authorities that lack due qualification and competence. Improper use of data in the penitentiary system raises many problems and risks. Apart from stigmatization, unjustified publicizing of data may adversely affect a child's psychic, change his/her attitude towards law-enforcement agencies, and moreover, towards the state. Further, personal data may be used for pressure, threats and blackmail against an individual, examples of which we have unfortunately witnessed in the past". For the full text (geo)... Source: www.osgf.ge

Tbilisi. The Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center has released a publication titled "Legal assessment of funding of four religious organizations". The organization finds that the "Government must fundamentally revise the current practice of funding (in respect of the Orthodox Church as well as four religious associations) and it should be brought in compliance with principles of secularism and prohibition of discrimination. In this respect, it is especially important that the legislative body develops an integrated policy on these issues as part of wide public discussions, and exercises effective parliamentary control over the processes", the publication states. For the full text (geo)... Source: emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. As part of the Civil Activism Platform, the Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center has started uploading video lectures online. The first video lecture is about Marxism and the national issue, read by philosopher Giorgi Maisuradze.  Video Lecture – Marxism and the National Issue (geo)     Source: the organization's web page in the social network.

Tbilisi. Transparency International – Georgia has released a new blog post, commenting on information reported by media, according to which ongoing constructions and investment projects in Adjara have allegedly terminated. The organization has verified this information – "... found out that mostly the construction process of investment projects is hindered, but not terminated entirely". For the full text... Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. The Georgian Young Lawyers' Association has released a statement concerning Nino Gvenetadze's nomination for the Supreme Court Chair. "We find that in order to cope with challenges that the judicial system faces and to implement pending reforms successfully, it is of vital importance to elect to the Supreme Court Chair a principled person with high professional qualification, who will be capable of protecting the judicial system from political or other improper influences and will fight for human rights and rule of law in the country. In view of these requirements, we believe Nino Gvenetadze is a worthy candidate to the Supreme Court Chair and has necessary reputation within professional circles as well as the civil sector...", the statement says. For the full text (geo) Source:gyla.ge