Samegrelo. Taso Foundation is visiting target villages as part of the Women’s Economic Empowerment project. On March 14, the foundation held a working meeting in the village of Khabume of Chkhorotsku Municipality. Taso Foundation is implementing the project in Shida Kartli, Samegrelo, Guria, Imereti and Racha-Lechkhumi regions with the support of the UN Women and the Norwegian Government. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. On March 7-8, 2022, representatives of the Public Defender of Georgia visited Rome at the invitation of the Italian National Guarantor for the Rights of Persons Detained or Deprived of Liberty, where a bilateral working meeting was held with the Italian National Preventive Mechanism and a cooperation agreement was signed. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. The signatory organizations call on the Georgian authorities to instigate a comprehensive policy to ensure organized reception of refugees from Ukraine and bona fide support of refugees already in Georgia. “The trend of Ukrainian refugees entering Georgia may also be discerned. According to our observations, after the start of the war, asylum seekers in Georgia are mainly those Ukrainians who have relatives, family, or other strong ties with Georgia. Despite this reality, it is clear that the Georgian authorities have not taken proactive steps to organize the evacuation of refugees from Ukraine and to provide them with proper and real support in Georgia. Moreover, thousands of Ukrainian tourists, who were unable to return to Ukraine due to the war that started on February 24, 2022, remain in Georgia, and they also face the need for urgent social support”, is noted in the joint statement. Read more… Source: socialjustice.org.ge

Imereti. Local Democracy Agency Georgia, in the framework of the project "Civil Society Initiative", held meeting with the public servants who are responsible for relations with civil society organizations in Kharagauli municipality. The aim of the meetings is to promote the role of civil society in public policy. The similar meetings are planned in all municipalities of Imereti region. The meetings are being organized by LDA Georgia within the framework of the project "Civil Society Initiative," with the support of the European Union and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. Georgian Public Broadcaster adopted internal mechanisms on the prevention and response to sexual harassment. The action was initiated by the Gender Equality Council of the Parliament and was implemented with UN Women’s technical support. „The mechanism regulates issues and procedures for the prevention of and response to sexual harassment in the organization. To ensure effective functioning of the mechanism, a series of capacity development trainings on sexual harassment are planned for the staff of the Public Broadcaster. The initiative is supported within the framework of the UN Women implemented project “Good Governance for Gender Equality in Georgia” generously funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway“. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

The UNCAC Coalition is a global network of anti-corruption organisations committed to human rights and democracy. “We condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine as a gross violation of international law and human rights. It is an affront to the United Nations Charter principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity and non-intervention in the domestic affairs of other States, which are principles reiterated in the UN Convention against Corruption. In that vein, we call on all countries, and in particular those that host major financial centres, to take swift and concrete steps to stem the flow of stolen money and to trace and freeze illicitly-acquired assets. This should include establishing central public beneficial ownership and company registers, as well as transparency measures, especially in sectors at risk of capture by corrupt interests”. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. On March 10, IDFI held an informational meeting at the Millennium School on “The Soviet Era and the Information War as Its Legacy.” The discussion focused on Russian mass disinformation, the use of falsified historical narratives to justify Russia's imperialist goals, and the spread of misinformation about the Russia-Ukraine war. Learn more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. Public Defender of Georgia and Council of National Minorities published the statement. “In the wake of the large-scale military aggression being carried out by the Russian Federation on the territory of Ukraine, certain fears and questions emerged in Georgian society regarding the purpose of the arrival of citizens of the Russian Federation in Georgia. Calls for the restriction of provision of services to the Russian citizens have also been spread on social networks, which are explained by the protection of state security and implementation of international sanctions. In the light of the ongoing events, similar discussions represent a form of freedom of expression, although it is important that the discussion be based on public awareness and not just on emotions or fears, as it can easily escalate into the widespread use of hate speech and ethnic harassment, which is categorically unacceptable and dangerous. Accordingly, we appeal to the representatives of the Georgian Government, opposition, political parties, media outlets, our fellow citizens and users of social networks to promote informed discourse and not to allow ethnic discrimination”. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. Public Defender Calls on Special Penitentiary Service to Immediately Transfer Mikheil Saakashvili for Necessary Medical Examinations. “On March 9, 2022, Public Defender's representatives visited Penitentiary Establishment No. 12, where they met with prisoner Mikheil Saakashvili and talked to the medical staff. The visit made it clear that it is necessary to immediately provide relevant examinations and further medical services to Mikheil Saakashvili in a relevant profile clinic”. Read more…  Source: ombudsman.ge

ICC top prosecutor has filed an application for warrants of arrest in relation to the following three individuals in the Situation in Georgia: Lt.-Gen. Mikhail Mayramovich MINDZAEV (alternatively spelled as "MINDZAYEV"), appointed in 2005 as the Minister of Internal Affairs of the de facto South Ossetian administration until at least 31 October 2008; Gamlet GUCHMAZOV (alternatively spelled "Hamlet" and "KUCHMAZOV"), Head of the Preliminary Detention facility of the de facto Ministry of Internal Affairs of South Ossetia at the time ofevents; and David Georgiyevich SANAKOEV, de facto Presidential Representative for Human Rights of South Ossetia, also known as "Ombudsman" at the time of events. Read more… Source: www.icc-cpi.int

Tbilisi. On March 8, a training on “Proper Support for Persons with Disabilities in Developing Independent Living Skills” was held with the parents of the participants of day care center. The training was very interactive. Read more… Source: The organization’s webpage on the social network

Imereti. Within the framework of the project “Civil Society Initiative”, LDA Georgia conducted training on the importance, role, stages, methods and specifics of advocacy for the members of CSOs and citizens in the target municipalities. The trainings are being conducted by LDA Georgia within the framework of the project “Civil Society Initiative,” with the support of the European Union and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. A number of young volunteers, just like Mariam and her friends, were united by the desire to help the Ukrainian people. “We wanted to make some contribution to helping the Ukrainian people. We gained information about the necessary items and learned that the most critical need for the people there now was first aid medicines. We started raising money to buy first aid medicines. In a few days we raised 1400 GEL and we sent it to Ukraine”. Activity is being implemented within the framework of the project “Civil Society Initiative,” with the support of the European Union and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. Public Defender Addresses Imedi L Insurance Company with recommendation to eliminate discrimination on grounds of age. “The Public Defender addressed Imedi L insurance company with a recommendation to eliminate discrimination on the grounds of age. The decision was based on the application of a Georgian citizen who purchased travel insurance from the insurance company. The applicant received emergency medical care while abroad, however, the insurance company refused to cover the costs on the grounds that the applicant was 70 years old”. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

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Tbilisi. Against the background of solidarity demonstrations for Ukraine, in recent days the authorities have resumed arresting civil activists, continuing the practice of using administrative arrest against them in a selective, disproportionate and unsubstantiated manner. “We call on the authorities not to go beyond the constitutional limits, stop the unsubstantiated, disproportionate and arbitrary restriction of the freedom of expression of civil activists, and give them an opportunity to make full use of the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution of Georgia”. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. "Taso Foundation" offers the stories of 10 Georgian women who died heroically during the war in Abkhazia. “The cards use Maro Makashvili's handwritten font, which was created in collaboration of ჯეპრა • Gepra and calligrapher Davit Maisuradze. We also thank Marina Nachkebia for providing the materials used”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. Red Cross Georgia Society thanks to the company "Onetoeight” and "moodo.store" for the support. “They handed over 65 hoodies free of charge, which will be donated to the Ukrainian Red Cross for the affected people in Ukraine”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. On March 9, 2022 one of the last court hearings against Nika Gvaramia is scheduled in the Tbilisi City Court. The court might pass a verdict at the same hearing. “Transparency International Georgia after assessing the case materials as well as considering Georgian legislation, court practice, legal doctrine, and the facts of the case came to the conclusion that it has not been proved that Nika Gvaramia committed the crime of embezzlement of property rights, commercial bribery, creation and use of the false official document and money laundering. A proper assessment of circumstances related to the charges against Nika Gvaramia is important for ensuring the rights and freedoms of individuals, as well as for the further development of case law. Therefore, we hope that the court will make a lawful and reasoned decision”. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. From sanctions to military and humanitarian aid - Find all information about EU support to Ukraine on this page. “The sanctions against Russia are the largest in the history of the European Union, and are designed to take a heavy toll on the Russian economy and the Kremlin”. Source: euneighbourseast.eu

Tbilisi. To help the affected people in Ukraine, the company "Bricorama" donated the following equipment to the Georgian Red Cross: generators, tents, water-fuel tanks, and electric adapters. The humanitarian aid will be sent to the "Ukrainian Red Cross." The Georgian Red Cross Society would like to thank the company Bricorama for its support. Georgian Red Cross volunteers are actively involved in the process of sending the cargo. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Shida Kartli. On 7 March 2022, the training about the self-government structure and organization management for youths of Gori Youth Council was held in Society Biliki (Regional Hub in Shida Kartli). Gori Youth Council is becoming strong within the framework of the European Union (EU) and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) funded project “Civil Society STAR initiative: CSOs as Sustainable, Transparent, Accountable and Resilient Development Actors in Georgia” (2021-2025). Gori City Hall is a supporter of Gori Youth Council. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network