Imereti. On June 14, 2022, with the Support of the European Union and ASB Georgia, the Legal Aid Center of the non-governmental organization “Rights Georgia” was opened in Chiatura, which will provide free legal assistance to the local population in cases related to gender-based and domestic violence. Read more…  Source: rights.ge

Tbilisi. Social Justice Center publishes the report on Drug Policy in Georgia. “The purpose of this report is to review the changes to the drug policy carried out in Georgia in 2021, identify existing challenges and assess the legal status of persons accused and convicted of drug-related crimes. During 2021, like in previous year, there were no major changes to the legislation on drug-related offenses, or there were no fundamentally different approaches introduced. The topic, in a broad political context, has lost its relevance and is not a priority topic for either the executive or the legislative bodies. Several fragmentary legislative changes were made in the reporting year that have not substantially changed the state’s pattern of behavior towards drug-related crime and drug policy issues. The state still does not show readiness for a fundamental transformation of drug policy, which is indicated by inconsistent changes in the legislation, which, on the one hand, slightly improves the state’s approach to drug users, and on the other hand, substantially aggravates the already severe penalties for specific drug-related crimes”. Read more… Source: socialjustice.org.ge

Tbilisi. According to the information of the ISFED, yesterday, TV Imedi broadcasted the results of a public opinion poll conducted by polling company GORBI. The formulation of questions in the poll does not meet validity standards, is not relevant to the current developments and aims not to study public opinion, but rather to manipulate it, thus the poll represents tool of propaganda. The absurdity of this part of the poll, which was commissioned by the TV IMEDI, is the attempt to turn, so far concealed, anti-Western rhetoric into public opinion. “The poll presented consolidates number of propaganda techniques that are characteristics of an autocratic regimes, such as: fueling fear, confronting people with non-existent choices, creating an icon of the evil enemy, manipulating public opinion or attitudes and deceiving”. Read more…  Source: isfed.ge

Tbilisi. Day of Persons with Disabilities is marked on June 14 in Georgia. The aim of this day is to raise public awareness of people with disabilities and once again focus on the rights situation of these people. According to the Public Defender of Georgia, although some positive steps have been taken by the State in the recent period, full and effective protection of the rights of persons with disabilities is still problematic in the country. Read more…  Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. The signatory organizations respond to the news story aired by TV Pirveli on June 12. The story describes the alleged involvement of the State Security Service (SSS) employees in the planning and execution of the violent events of July 5. “The mass violence on July 5, 2021, was considered to be an exceptional case of police inactivity and the demonstrative state’s passivity in protecting journalists and activists. However, the information released on June 12 prompts an even more dangerous and disturbing assumption that it may be the SSS that stands behind the planning and management of that mass violence”. Read more…  Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. The Annual Report provides information about TI Georgia's essential events and primary directions that our professional team has worked on in the past year. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

Kvemo-Kartli. Within the frames of the EU-supported EMBRACE Tsalka project, implemented by CENN and partner organizations, the rural festival “Visit Tsalka” took place in Tsalka. The Festival was organized by the CENN, Tsalka LAG, and Georgian Farmers’ Association. The festival aimed at raising awareness about Tsalka Municipality. It gathered young people, local entrepreneurs, government officials, organizers and other guests in Tsalka in one space to exchange their experience and knowledge. Read more…  Source: eu4georgia.eu

Tbilisi. Georgian Institute of Politics publishes the blogpost: Public Support to the European Integration: For Georgia What Comes After “Candidate” Status.? “June 2022 is a memorable date for Georgia’s European future. For many reasons, if the decision on whether to grant Georgia candidate status is positive, it will be a turning point for the country’s development in the right direction. Historically, European integration has been supported in Georgia for the most part as expressed and stated in the Constitution. However, if Georgia is not granted “candidate” status at this stage, maintaining public support will be difficult. For us, it is vital that the alarming outcomes that might follow if Georgia is denied “candidate” status, are discussed in Brussels with the utmost caution.  Consideration of these risks and attempts to alleviate them is crucial. Due to the rapid geopolitical shifting, Georgia’s European future might be severely damaged, especially if the country remains outside the European radar without “candidate” status”. Read more… Source: gip.ge

Tbilisi. From 7th to 9th June 2022 the EU Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CFT) Global Facility organized a regional event in Tbilisi. The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) was the local partner of the event. The main topic of discussion was the consequences of the Ukraine invasion on the AML/CFT regime for NPOs in the Eastern Partnership countries. During the 3-day regional meeting speakers and participants discussed the challenges that emerged in the region after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, how they should be addressed by the NPOs, and how they should provide humanitarian assistance and ensure transparency in the process. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. Please follow the link to see a lecture by Dr. Rondeli where he discusses Russian efforts to retain influence on the Caucasus and attempts to prevent countries of the region from joining European and Euro-Atlantic structures. The lecture was held in 2013 at the Center of Eurasian, Russian and East European studies at Georgetown University. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. Civil initiative "Step Towards Europe" responds to the European Parliament resolution. “On behalf of the civic initiative "Step Towards Europe", we would like to respond to the resolution on Georgia adopted by the European Parliament on June 9 and the debates held a day earlier, where all political groups were unanimous in their assessment that, under the current Georgian government, democratic backsliding is occurring in the country. Furthermore, in a joint statement on June 9, the leaders of the European Parliament’s political groups called on member state governments to grant Ukraine and Moldova EU candidate status ahead of a key European Council meeting on June 23-24. Georgia, however, was mentioned separately as the statement called on member states to "work for the same status for Georgia in order to fulfill the legitimate aspirations of the Georgian people." Instead of responding with anti-European statements that are detrimental to the country, the government should immediately start an inclusive process and create a short-term agenda for fundamental reforms, which will ensure a timely resolution of the problems cited in the European Parliament resolution. The government should also take concrete steps to demonstrate that it is fulfilling the request of the Georgian people, of which more than 80% steadfastly and unequivocally support joining the European Union. We, for our part, with the accumulated expertise and ready-made concepts for reforms, are ready to contribute to the process that will make a European future for our people and the acquisition of candidate status realistic”, is noted in the statement. Read more…  Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. With the Assistance of “Rights Georgia”, an Iranian Citizen Won the Dispute in Tbilisi City Court. Mariam Magradze, a lawyer of “Rights Georgia”, represented the beneficiary interests before the Supreme Court of Georgia within the framework of the IOM project - “COVID-19 and Needs of Migrants in South Caucasus”, implemented with the support of the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (BPRM). If you are a Migrant in Georgia and need legal counseling, please contact "Rights Georgia": at +995 577 28 22 77 Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. According to the IDFI, June 9 is International Archives Day, established by the International Council on Archives (ICA). Hereby we present the archival documents collected by IDFI - the so-called "Stalinist lists", based on which more than 3,600 people in Georgia were victims of repression. Majority of these people were  convicted under the "first category" and sentenced to be shot, together with their property being confiscated. Archival documents cover the period from May 31, 1937 to September 12, 1938. The documents list the individuals who were subject to the shooting or deportation for the duration of various periods. Importantly, 11 out of 13 lists are signed directly by Stalin. Read more…  Source: historyproject.ge

Guria. On June 8, employment forum was held in Ozurgeti. The forum aimed to promote employment opportunities for youth, IDPs, inexperienced, long-term unemployed, and other vulnerable groups. Furthermore, the forum’s objective was to comprehend the significance of improving cross-sectoral cooperation for employment opportunities in the regions of Georgia. The employment forum was supported by the European Union and was organized by the Institute for Change and Innovation (ICI), Skills for Employment and Cooperation – Perspectives for the Regions of Georgia – SECTORs” project; the Education Development and Employment Center (EDEC), “Learn, Exercise, Achieve, Receive, Network for Employment! (LEARN for Employment!) “project, the United Nations Association of Georgia, “Local Investments in Networks for Knowledge and Skill-share (LINKS)” project; and State Employment Support Agency (SESA). Read more… Source: eu4georgia.eu

Tbilisi. The Fair Labor Platform expresses its solidarity with nurses who are organizing to fight for decent pay and better working conditions at First University Clinic and condemns recent union-busting efforts by their employer. “Nurses and other medical staff at the First University Clinic formed the Primary Solidarity Network Trade Union in May 2022, with the goal of uniting workers to fight for better wages and improved working conditions. But clinic administrators have since responded by harassing and intimidating employees who engage in union activities and/or express interest in joining the union”. Read more… Source: socialjustice.org.ge

Tbilisi. Civil Society Organizations call on the president to veto damaging amendments to wiretap legislation. “On 7 June 2022, the Parliament of Georgia voted for legislative amendments that notably lower the standard of human rights protection in the process of covert investigative actions. The adopted bill falls well short of international norms of human rights protection and the practice of European Court of Human Rights. The adopted bill renders those positive legislative changes useless, which were implemented in 2014 with the active involvement of civil society and experts from the Council of Europe. Considering all the above said, we urge the President of Georgia to exercise the power granted to her under the Constitution, to veto the legislative amendments and to send them back to the Parliament with reasoned objections”. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Samthkhe-Javakheti. On June 8, in the village of Sviri, Akhaltsikhe Municipality, members of the Taso Foundation team conducted a training on the topic - “Self-Government - Essence, Structure and Competencies”. The training was aimed at raising awareness about the essence, structure and competencies of the self-government of new women's self-help groups in the villages of Boga and Sviri. The project is implemented in partnership with the UN Women Georgia Kakheti Regional Development Fund (KRDF), and CARE Caucasus. The Project is supported by the Embassy of Switzerland in Georgia and the Austrian Development Agency. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. According to the IDFI, The amendments to the Law of Georgia on Facilitating the Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing are not enough to address the challenges existing in the country in this direction and it is necessary for the Georgian Government to take more ambitious steps. IDFI calls on the authorities to not spare efforts in implementing MONEYVAL and FATF recommendations. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. Association “Anika” participated in a training course, which provides training for drivers of municipal buses moving in Tbilisi in the field of service and traffic standards for people with disabilities. “Our Day Care Center participants discussed the barriers and obstacles they face when using public transport”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

US Department of State published 2021 report of religious freedom. See more…

Adjara. UNICEF would like to introduce you to 4-year-old Adem. He lives in the village of Kvatia, Khulo Municipality and walks in the kindergarten of this village. “Kvatia Kindergarten is a successful example of inclusive preschool education - the municipality and kindergarten staff strongly supported Adem to enable him to attend the kindergarten and get maximum involvement in kindergarten activities. With the help of UNICEF, educators have been trained to obtain the knowledge and skills needed to involve Adem in the educational process. UNICEF Representative Ghassan Khalil, visited the kindergarten in the village of Kvatia and got acquainted with Adem, his caregivers and friends”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. Transparency International Georgia has studied the guilty verdict delivered against Nika Gvaramia, a former director of Rustavi 2 TV company and the founder of Mtavari Arkhi, on May 16, 2022, which fails to meet the criteria of lawfulness, substantiation and fairness. “Judge Lasha Chkhikvadze of the Tbilisi City Court found Nika Gvaramia guilty of abuse of powers (on two counts) under Article 220 of the Criminal Code of Georgia and sentenced him to three years and six months of imprisonment. Considering the neglect of legitimate questions regarding the impartiality and objectivity of the judge, poor legal reasoning in determining the guilt and sentencing of Nika Gvaramia, dearth of systemic analysis of facts presented in the form of evidence and lack of use of corresponding court practice, legal literature or academic materials, we can conclude that the decision delivered against Nika Gvaramia is unsubstantiated”. Check out 5 reasons why Nika Gvaramia’s verdict is unfounded. Read more… Source: transparency.ge