Tbilisi. Within the framework of the “First time at the self-government elections” campaign, an online meeting with young people living in Batumi, Shuakhevi, Khelvachauri, Ozurgeti, Chokhatauri, and Gori municipalities was held on September 9 and 10. The purpose of the meeting was to clarify the essence of self-governance, competencies, forms of citizen participation, and electoral procedures for young people, especially those for whom the 2021 self-government elections are the first elections. The “First time at the self-government elections” campaign consists of various stages and serves personal development of young people, enhancement of their role, and encouragement to participate in local self-government activities. The campaign is implemented by the Civil Society Institute (CSI) within the framework of the project - “Building a Robust Alliance of Local Development Actors in Georgia” (Phase II), with the support of a German organization - “Bread for the World” and in partnership with youth centers operating in target municipalities as well as with Innovation and Civil Development Center - “Progress House”. Read more…  Source: The website of the organization

Tbilisi. Georgian Democracy Initiative considers that the Tbilisi City Court found an activist Giga Makarashvili as an offender without any evidence and fined him GEL 2000. “Common courts continue to persecute, prosecute and strictly punish peaceful civil activists. In particular, on September 10, 2021, Lela Tsagareishvili, a judge of the Tbilisi City Court, found Giga Makarashvili as an administrative offender for disobeying police demand and imposed GEL 2000 fine to be paid by him”, - is noted in the statement, - “Giga Makarashvili did not resist policemen either before or after his detention and this fact was confirmed also through the video material presented by representatives of MIA themselves at the trial. It becomes obvious from videos taken by cameramen of various TV stations that Giga Makarashvili stands peacefully while police officers detain him without any warning or call”. Read more… Source: The website of the organization

Tbilisi. Social Justice Center considers that results of the selection of a private law firm at the Ministry of Justice to re-evaluate the Namakhvani agreement eventually confirmed the unreliability of this government-initiated process. “Risks, which, according to our assessment, accompanied unlawful and non-transparent selection of a law firm through simplified procurement have turned to be true”, - is noted in the statement released by the organization, - “More specifically, the local consultant of “CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP”, the selected international law firm, is going to be MKD, a law firm closely associated with the name of Tamar Tkeshelashvili, current First Deputy Minister of Justice, which fact does not serve the basis for trust in an impartial and independent evaluation. The evaluation itself will be carried out in accordance with standards of FIDIC (“International Federation of Consulting Engineers”), which means evaluation based on legal relationship regulating standards that are completely different from the Namakhvani agreement and does not meet the initial need or purpose of the evaluation”. Read more… Source: The website of the organization

Tbilisi. GYLA presented №15 criminal trial monitoring report. This is the first annual report that assesses the impact of restrictions introduced due to the Covid-19 pandemic on pending court trials in Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi, Rustavi City Courts, and Zugdidi and Telavi District Courts.  The report discusses the trends identified as a result of monitoring court hearings held without courtroom attendees and analyzes the pros and cons of remote litigation. The compliance of the decisions of parties and court rulings with the law is assessed as well as the challenges the court, parties, and penitentiary institutions were exposed to due to the Covid-19 pandemic are analyzed. The pandemic-induced changes in the criminal court proceedings and their consequences are also evaluated.  The report analyzes the impact of the decisions made at different stages of the pandemic on the litigation process and provides the necessary recommendations for improving the current situation. The report presents the results of the criminal court monitoring conducted from March 2020 through March 2021, as well as the key trends identified at different stages of the monitoring.  Read more…   Source: The webpage of the organization

Tbilisi. The US Embassy in Georgia published the highlight how the United States works with Georgia to develop its tourism industry... This summer, USAID brought a group of travel influencers to Georgia to promote the country as a tourist destination, reaching 4 million potential travelers around the world.  Have you already seen the beautiful ceramic tile mosaic in Gori? It was created by artist Irina Shotadze after USAID helped her purchase a ceramic oven. The new oven enabled her to create 1,001 tiles for public display, which has already become a popular destination in Gori.  USAID also supported new infrastructure at 15 rural museums in Shida Kartli, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, and Tusheti in line with the U.S. government's emphasis on creating jobs in Georgia's regions while maintaining the country's unique cultural heritage.  With USAID support, roughly 300 "Digital Missionaries" have listed tourism businesses and landmarks on Google platforms, promoting growth of the rural tourism industry. So far, they have "digitized" more than 3,000 locations across the country.  Last but not least, USAID supported the establishment of the Tourism Industry Alliance comprising 15 business associations in the tourism and hospitality industry. Read more…   Source: The page in the social network

Tbilisi. Transparency International Georgia updates reports of election disruption and response. The new information refers to the facts observed from August 1 to September 8. Read more…  Source: The webpage of the organization

Tbilisi. Transparency International Georgia presents a short analysis of the 6-month implementation of the 20201 state budget. The recommendations issued by the organization are as follows: Although the amendments to the 2021 state budget have reduced the budget deficit from 7.7% to 6.9% of GDP, the deficit remains very high and the government must make savings on unnecessary spending by the end of the year. Reducing the deficit will have a positive effect on macroeconomic stability, decrease price levels, and negative pressure on the GEL exchange rate; In the budget performance reports, the Ministry of Finance should provide information on how many non-staff contractor workers are employed in each institution and how much is spent on their remuneration. When government debt is significantly increased and there is a pandemic in the country, doubling the expenses on temporary workers raises questions about inefficient spending and nepotism, as hiring such employees is less regulated by law. Read more…  Source: The webpage of the organization

Tbilisi. Transparency International Georgia studied the performance of Batumi City Council in 2020. The research also covers the main findings and recommendations. This information will support the City Council, formed after the 2021 Local Self-Government elections, in its future activities. The report is based on the information requested and received from the City Council, on observations of the organization, and on the materials of the media outlets. Transparency International Georgia published the 2017-2019 performance evaluation of Batumi City Council in March 2020. Read more…  Source: The webpage of the organization

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. GDI releases a statement in response to the September 7, 2021 decision of the Chamber of Criminal Cases under the Supreme Court of Georgia. With this decision, the Chamber reversed the verdict imposed by courts of first and second instance and sentenced Davit Kezerashvili, the owner of the TV Company “Formula” and former Minister of Defense, to 5 years in prison. “It should be noted that the Cassation Chamber, reviewing the case, was chaired by Shalva Tadumadze, who held the position of Prosecutor General during both the second instance hearing of the case and the prosecution appeal of the case to the Court of Cassation. The Public Defender responded to the mentioned fact and pointed out the possible conflicts of interest. As she stated, “I am not familiar with this case, however, if Tadumadze served as Prosecutor when Kezerashvili was charged and such a fact is revealed, I assume it is a conflict of interests. I noted it in the case of Ugulava too, so if such circumstances emerge also in this case, then there is a high probability that the Strasbourg court will find a violation of the right to a fair trial, provided that this case goes there””, - is noted in the statement. Read more… Source: The website of the organization

UNDP Accelerator Lab conducts a behavioral experiment to support waste separation in Batumi and Tbilisi... UNDP signed memorandums of understanding with the Batumi and Tbilisi municipalities, to assist the two largest Georgian cities to introduce plastic waste separation practices and promote sustainable lifestyles. Read more…  Source: The webpage of the organization

Tbilisi. IDFI has issued a statement regarding the change in the rules for electing the Prosecutor General. ‘On September 7, 2021, the Parliament of Georgia passed the constitutional amendments in the first reading, with 126 MPs voting in favor. Unfortunately, the issue of appointing a Prosecutor General by a qualified majority was dismissed from the draft constitutional law, which would reduce the risk of only one party appointing her/him in the future and would be a step forward in strengthening the Office's independence and neutrality. According to the current legislation, the Prosecutor General is elected by the majority of the total number of the Members of the Parliament upon nomination by the Prosecutorial Council’, - is mentioned in the statement. Read more…  Source: The webpage of the organization

Tbilisi. The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association responds to legislative changes adopted by the Parliament. “Election of Prosecutor General by a qualified majority is part of the agreement, which was signed between the Government and the opposition on April 19 through the mediation of Charles Michel, President of the European Council, and unilaterally announced annulled by the ruling party just a while ago”, - is noted in the statement released by GYLA, - “GYLA supported the replacement of the simple majority, required for the election of Prosecutor General, with a qualified majority. This would greatly increase the chance to fill the position with a person who would enjoy broad political consensus as well as high public confidence. Besides, there would emerge a new procedure, oriented on sharing power and responsibility, in the constitution of the country. Unfortunately, the ruling team has rejected this change, which is dictated by the desire to retain political control over the justice system”. Read more… Source: The website of the organization

Tbilisi. Transparency International Georgia provides updated information on election irregularities and responses. By the TI the political party “For Georgia” has repeatedly informed the observer organizations and the Public Defender of Georgia about the alleged facts of various pressures on the party's supporters. Transparency International Georgia is studying these cases. Read more…  Source: The webpage of the organization

Tbilisi. The Public Defender says the work of the General Inspectorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Monitoring Department of the Special Penitentiary Service continues with significant shortcomings.  ‘The analysis of the cases showed that the Monitoring Department of the Special Penitentiary Service and the General Inspectorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs had not conducted an in-depth examination of alleged human rights violations, which prevented the investigation and detection of violations indicated by the applicants. The general inspectorates of the investigative agencies do not fully study citizens' complaints, do not obtain neutral evidence to identify alleged infringements, and in most cases are limited to questioning alleged infringers who clearly deny the violation of law’, - mentioned the Public Defender.  Read more…   Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. Transparency International Georgia assessed the activities carried out by the City Council of Akhaltsikhe municipality in 2020. The report is based on the information requested and received from the City Council as well as the information published on the official website of the City Council, and on observations of the organization. Transparency International Georgia evaluated Akhaltsikhe City Council’s performance in 2020 as well. The study covered the period from November 2017 to 2019. Read more…  Source: The webpage of the organization

Tbilisi. TI has published an article – ‘https://transparency.ge/en/blog/anti-corruption-environment-georgia-and-recommendations-european-union’.  This article by Alexan¬der Kevkhishvili was published on June 21 as part of a project titled Eastern Partnership Plus implemented by the German think tank Zentrum Liberale Moderne (LibMod).  ‘The current situation vis-à-vis corruption in Georgia is characterized by impressively low levels of petty corruption combined with near-total impunity for high-level corruption, - we read in the article.  Read more…   Source: The webpage of the organization

Tbilisi. Social Justice Center calls on the Parliament of Georgia to resume discussions on systemic reform of the Prosecutor’s Office and the judiciary in general and to take into account assessments and recommendations of civil society organizations and international partners in this process. “Removal of issues related to election of Prosecutor General from the draft constitutional law once again indicates that the ruling power does not intend to reduce its political influence over law enforcement and judicial systems. This decision lowers the prospect of democratization and political neutrality of the Prosecutor’s Office”, - is noted in the statement released by the organization. Read more… Source: The website of the organization

Tbilisi. Transparency International Georgia is concerned about the intention of the Georgian Dream to adopt constitutional amendments without modifying the rule for electing Prosecutor General. “By rejecting progressive changes and keeping existing modalities in force, Georgian Dream attempts to retain full control over the justice system”, - they consider at the organization, - “One of the main challenges for Georgian democracy and political stability remains depoliticization of both the prosecutor’s office and the judiciary institutes, as well as the liberation of these agencies from partisan influence. Decision-making by a qualified majority in the Parliament will facilitate the election of Prosecutor General free from political influences, having public confidence and a high professional reputation. The election of Prosecutor General by a qualified majority is also recommended by the Venice Commission. Respectively, failure in the adoption of constitutional amendments will further hamper democratic processes in the country, which fact is going to be the responsibility of the ruling political force”. Read more… Source: The website of the organization

Tbilisi. Transparency International Georgia assessed the activities carried out by the representative body of Kutaisi municipality - the City Council in 2020. The report is based on the information requested and received from the City Council and on observations of the organization. The research covers the period of 2020. Read more…  Source: The webpage of the organization

EaP is now collecting information on civil society needs in the Eastern Partnership countries to better adapt to the opportunities we will be offering in the coming years... The results obtained will help the organization to better identify future offers. For this, CSOs and civil society activists are offered to complete a special questionnaire. ‘By completing our survey below, you will help us better understand what you need in your civil society organization or as civil society activists from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, or Ukraine. You will help us better tailor our activities and the opportunities we will be offering you in the coming three and a half years', - is mentioned in the information on the Eap’s webpage. You can fill in the survey in either English or Russian. Read more…  Source: The webpage of the organization

Young Georgians and Ossetians from across the conflict divide worked jointly to create over 100 posters, blogs, graphic comics, quizzes, videos, and animations reflecting life in their communities.   The artwork and written stories are presented at the web platform House of Peace, developed by the non-governmental ‘Coalition for IDPs’ Rights’ with support from the European Union in Georgia and UNDP Georgia.  Read more…   Source: The webpage of the organization