Tbilisi. On September 20, 2013 GYLA’s Media Legal Defense Center held a meeting and discussed regulations restricting photo-video recording at the polling place on the Election Day. At the meeting, participants have discussed resolution#42 of the Central Election Commission of September 24, 2012 about imposing restrictions on photo-video recording at the polling place on the Election Day. In addition, GMLDC submitted the results of the implemented inquiry  among the journalists.  Representatives from international organizations, NGOs, the Central Election Commission, legislative branch and media attended the event. Source:gyla.ge

Mtskheta-Mtianeti. On September 18-20, 2013 in Gudauri, the joint meeting between Donors and Civil Society Organizations was held. The main objective of the meeting was to promote dialogue and strengthen the cooperation between Donors and Civil Society Organizations in Georgia. Expectations of the parties involved in this meeting were to establish structural dialogue between donors and civil society organizations and eliminate communication problems. This meeting also aimed to identify: specific areas for cooperation, instruments and mechanisms on how to implement the dialogue, and values, which will be a basis for collaboration among two equal actors. At the end of the meeting, participants presented all findings and results of the small working group sessions and discussed the future plans. They chose the members of the editing team, who will be responsible for continuation of the working process to draft document on Donor and CSOs cooperation based on the issues, instruments and values identified on this meeting. Participants agreed that the editing team will be representative and will engage three CSO and three donor organizations’ delegates. Meeting was held by the initiative of Civil Society Institute (CSI), Civil Development Agency (CiDA) and Consultation and Training Center (CTC), in partnership with the "Civil Society Organizations Development Effectiveness” sub-group of the Eastern Partnership Georgian National Platform.

Tbilisi. NGO's released a Report on Georgia's Compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Report Source:npo.ge

Samtskhe-Javakheti. UNDP joins a Georgia-wide clean-up campaign "Clean-Up the World! Clean-Up Georgia!"in Borjomi, Tsaghveri and Akhaldaba UNDPers and young people from the UNDP-supported eco-clubs went out to clean-up Borjomi Park, streets and school yards. Source:the organization's page in the social network

Kakheti. On September 15, 2013, UNFPA Georgia and Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs of Georgia organized a youth festival in Telavi with a slogan Equals for Equality. Telavi Youth Festival was conducted within the framework of the UN Joint Programme "To Enhance Gender Equality in Georgia” through generous support of Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and partnership with Georgian Youth Development and Education Association (GYDEA). Source: Gydea Georgia’s page in the social network

Tbilisi. Based on Transparency International Georgia, on 19 September, the Tbilisi Appeal Court upheld a ruling by the Tbilisi City Court annulling an Order of the Ministry of Finance. According to the order, the Georgian Post had been given preferential treatment and the commercial activities of small-sized carriers had become practically impossible. For full text Source:transparency.ge

Tbilisi. NGOs disseminate the joint statement on investigation of facts of torture in penitentiary institutions. "Regrettably, today, after a year from dissemination of the footage, society has no comprehensive picture on systemic violation of human rights that took place in the penitentiary system. The results of ongoing investigation are not transparent. Public possesses only general information on investigation process ...we appeal relevant agencies to submit to public detailed report on implemented investigation and results during a year on the facts of torture and inhuman treatment in penitentiaries", says the statement. For full text Source:gyla.ge

Tbilisi. Transparency International Georgia continues monitoring the problems of local population in regions and informing the general public thereof. Organization published information about Living conditions of ecological migrants in Shavghele. For full text Source:transparency.ge

Tbilisi. The International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy presents fourth interim report of pre-election monitoring for October 27, 2013 presidential elections. The reporting period reflects violations identified during the period from August 20 through September 8, 2013.  "We have found two cases that involved physical assault and one case that involved pressure on political grounds. We identified three facts that involved use of state resources. ISFED considers transferring of the agency and its material base owned by the Prime Minister’s family to the management of Info 9 free of charge as possible vote buying". For full text Source:isfed.ge

Imereti.  Acting Mission Director Roy Plucknett opened the first apartment building renovated by USAID’s Municipal Infrastructure and IDP Housing Rehabilitation Project in Tskhaltubo. The completely remodeled building includes 17 apartments, interior and exterior common areas, a playground for children, and is accessible to people with disabilities. More than 50 IDPs will benefit from the new, comfortable homes provided by the project. Source:USAID Georgia's page in the social network

Based on U.S Embassy, Imagine Cup 2014 season has started and registration is officially open. Three main competitions are back: Games, Innovation, and World Citizenship. The prizes are substantial: $50,000 USD to the first-place team in each competition. Please follow the link for information and registration - www.imaginecup.com Source:U.S Embassy's page in the social network

Tbilisi. GYLA Media Legal Defense Center will protect Giorgi Baratashvili’s interests in a court. On September 6, 2013 Giorgi Baratashvili, the general director of the Public Broadcaster was dismissed from the office on the basis of announced distrust from the Board of Trustees.  "It should be noted that none of the employees should be dismissed from the post without sufficient grounds, not to mention general director of the public broadcaster. We regret that the Board of Trustees makes the similar decision already the second time". For full text  Source:gyla.ge

Tbilisi. Media Legal Protection Center of the Georgian Young Lawyers Association responded to insulting comments made by an employee of the Adjara Autonomous Republic Supreme Council Press-Service Koba Adeishvili towards newspaper Batumelebi. GYLA calls on the Adjara Autonomous Republic Supreme Council to timely respond to the given fact. "Public authorities are obliged to respect profession of journalist, his role and importance in a democratic society.  In case if actions by a certain journalist are unacceptable to them the opposition position must be expressed within the legislation norms concerning public authorities,” the statement circulated by the Media Legal Protection Center reads.   Source:media.ge

Tbilisi. The International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) presents fourth and final report of monitoring developments in municipalities following the 2012 parliamentary elections. The report entails information about political processes in self-governments, staff changes, protest rallies and legal persecution of self-government officials. For full text Source:isfed.ge

Tbilisi.Transparency International Georgia published a short overview of pre-election processes. Overview presents a short description of incidents "that have occurred in different regions throughout Georgia, which directly or indirectly affect the pre-election climate of the country. Our organization has been reporting on some of the facts before, and the observation of the process has revealed several possible illegalities. We have requested that the Central Election Commission react upon them". For full text Source:transparency.ge

Kakheti. In Telavi the workshop of the Small Group Homes’ leaders and mentors was convened with the initiative of "Our Home-Georgia" and "Our Home-Poland". The workshop participants discussed about the successes and problems of the specialized model of Small Group Homes. After the workshop the participants visited the Small Group Home in Kurdghelauri and explored its environment. The Kurdghelauri home has been deliberately selected for the visit as one of the most successful homes in Georgia. The leader of the Kurdghelauri home shared the home’s experience to visitors and emphasized the importance of participation of mentors and children in all activities. Source:CHCHA Georgia's page in the social network

Tbilisi. Transparency International Georgia released a blog post "Government must consider conflict of interest risks while appointing regulatory commission chairs”. "According to media reports, the Georgian Government is presently considering several candidates for the position of the chairperson of the National Regulatory Commission for Energy and Water Supply. ...Before appointing the head of the regulatory commission, the Georgian Government should weigh all possible risks arising from conflict of interest. Moreover, the Georgian Government and Parliament need to undertake to improve the provisions of different laws designed to separate public and private interests and prevent conflict of interest in public institutions", says blog post. For full text Source:transparency.ge

Samegrelo. Transparency International Georgia released a blog post - "Civil Servants at pre-election rally and counter rally in Zugdidi”. Transparency International Georgia calls on civil servants employed in the local municipal bodies "not to use business hours for political activities, including supporting their favored presidential candidate and protesting in rallies. In addition, we emphasize that the police managed to undertake effective preventive measures for protecting the political party members and their supporters, and for the campaign meeting to take place in a peaceful and secure manner", says blog post. For full text Source:transparency.ge

Tbilisi. On September 13 AC hosted a group of beneficiaries of the program under guidance NGO "Save The Children". Tbilisi Youth Palace American Corner students presented them their favorite programs as well as successful projects, after which they gave them a tour around the Palace. Source:the organization’s page in the social network

Tbilisi. Flex exchange program announces call for participants. Program is for high school students, who wants to study in the U.S. for one year.  Program Source:U.S Embassy Tbilisi's page in the social network

Tbilisi. Transparency International Georgia released a new report - "The introduction of digital terrestrial TV in Georgia: Moving forward”. This document is meant to provide input and recommendations to the Georgian government for the next steps in the process to replace analogue terrestrial television with digital terrestrial television by 17 June 2015. Report  Source:transparency.ge

Tbilisi. UN global survey MY World - now in Georgia. For the My World survey, Georgian citizens are choosing their priorities for a better world. Their opinions will be shared with world leaders and national authorities, to jointly determine Georgia's future. Choose your priorities for a better world Source:UNDP Georgia's page in the social network