Tbilisi. Myth Detector publishes a blog post prepared by Tamar Kintsurashvili and Keti Khutsishvili: Strategy of violent groups of Kremlin: Burning of Western symbols should become a norm. “Disruption of the Pride March of Tbilisi Pride and violence against journalists committed by violent groups were inspired by aggressive and threatening statements of “Alt-Info”, a TV Company connected with the party of Levan Vasadze – “Unity, Identity, Hope”. TV hosts of the Company were even among organizers of the violent contraction carried out on July 5”. Read more… Source: mythdetector.ge

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. According to a statement, made by the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association, at the Supreme Court, judges have been appointed as a result of a deal between the clan and the Government. “Regardless questions related to competence and conscientiousness of candidates, the Legal Affairs Committee recommended to hire some of the participants of the competition. On its part, the plenary session acknowledged recommendations completely and appointed 6 judges to the position. It should also be noted that among candidates, appointed to the position, were individuals loyal to the influential group of judges – the clan and their leaders. The decision was not based on a broad consensus among parties, which fact is going to have a negative impact on confidence in court in the future”, - is noted in the statement. Read more… Source: gyla.ge

Tbilisi. UN Women in partnership with the Civil Service Bureau (CSB) is organizing a workshop. „The event aims at strengthening anti-sexual harassment mechanisms and promoting gender sensitive working environment in the civil service“.                                                          Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. With USAID/PROLoG support a survey on implementation of the new Law Benchmark document in the accreditation process of academic programs was solicited. „The survey identified challenges in different directions, including uniform application of the Law Benchmark document and composition of the accreditation board“. Survey…                                                            Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. The Education Development and Employment Center (EDEC) has launched the renewed website www.edec.ge. Information on the site is available in Georgian and English languages. The presented information is also accessible for persons with low vision.                                                                     Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. According to information released by International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED), a version of overdose death of Lashkarava was posted on the Facebook page of “Marshalpress” about an hour earlier than the Ministry drew our attention to this information at its first briefing. “There was mentioned Ioseb Khimshiashvili, some politician, in the material as a source of it. Soon the online edition disseminated the news via open groups in an organized manner. Otar Stepanishvili, the founder of “Marshalpress”, was among those who shared the post”.                                                              Source: The website of the organization on a social network

Tbilisi. Read the joint study by IDFI and Social Justice Center "Independent Investigative Mechanism in Georgia - Achievements and Existing Challenges". “The study reflects the analysis of the institutional and legal framework related to the investigative function of the State Inspector's Service, identifies existing challenges and shortcomings, reveals obstacles to the investigation process, and provides specific recommendations that will help improve the capacity of the State Inspector’s Service”. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. On July 12, 2021, Public Defender Nino Lomjaria met with President Salome Zourabichvili. “According to the Public Defender, the events developed on and after July 5, as well as shortcomings in the ongoing investigations, were discussed at the meeting; In this regard, the Public Defender stressed the need to bring the organizers of violent actions to justice, which has not happened so far”. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Shida Kartli. Society Biliki is starting a campaign to diversify the library for Society Biliki's Mother and Their Children's Shelter. “If you would like to join the campaign and contribute doing good business, please donate at least one book (fiction and children's literature). Address: Gori, Rustaveli St. N 19 A; Society Biliki's office. Khashuri, Imereti St. N20; Mother and Their Children's Shelter”.                                            Source: The Organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. Rights Georgia publishes a blog post of Nana Mchedlidze, an expert in international law and a board member of the organization: Hate speech and dangers it poses. The blog post contains a review of “hate speech, its forms of expression, who the hate speech is directed against, and best practices of combating it in conformity with European standards of human rights, as well as dangers that might be posed by lack of response to hate speech”. Read more… Source: rights.ge

Statement made by Mr. Diégo Colas, the Ambassador of France: “I am heartbroken to learn about the death of Lekso Lashkarava, a journalist who got severely injured on Monday while fulfilling his duty – covering homophobic violence that took place on July 5. My condolences to his family and colleagues. Freedom of assembly and press, fight against discrimination and hate, no to violence”.  Read more… Source: The Embassy of France in Georgia

Tbilisi. Public Defender’s Council of Religions releases the statement: We condemn violence, do not welcome the initiative relating to the law on insulting religious feelings. “We, the religious associations represented in the Council of Religions, express our extreme concern over the mass violence we witnessed in Tbilisi on July 5-6. We, representatives of religious associations, have often, more or less, experienced intolerance, hatred, discrimination, restriction of rights, abuse, violence. We understand very well what it means to be persecuted and oppressed because of the desire to protect human rights. At the same time, at the violent rally on July 5, an initiative was voiced relating to the adoption of the law that bans insulting national and religious sentiments. Members of the Council of Religions oppose the adoption of such a law. We believe that such a law, restricting freedom of expression in this direction, will have a severe impact on the development of our society”. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. Public Defender releases a statement on Investigation of Actions of Organizers of July 5-6 events. “As of July 12, 2021, no criminal proceedings have been launched against any person by the Ministry of Internal Affairs or the Prosecutor General's Office of Georgia for organizing violent, hate crimes that took place on July 5 and 6 in Tbilisi. We call on the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Prosecutor's Office to identify the main persons responsible for the actions of the alleged violent groups as soon as possible, as a matter of priority, and to launch criminal proceedings against them, as well as to proactively inform the public about the progress of the investigation. The Public Defender also calls on the Ministry of Internal Affairs to conduct an effective investigation into the death of TV Pirveli cameraman Alexandre Lashkarava, who was one of the victims of the July 5-6 violent attacks, and to establish a causal link between his bodily injuries and the fatal result”. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

The U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi extends our deepest condolences to the family of Lekso Lashkarava, particularly to Lekso’s mother, and to his colleagues at TV Pirveli and all those who are shocked and saddened by his death. "Lekso worked behind the camera so despite his years of service as a media professional, many might not have recognized him before he was viciously attacked by people who demonstrated a complete lack of respect for human life. His bravery as he defended his colleague and his commitment to the fundamental freedoms long cherished in this country represent the best qualities and traditions of the people of Georgia. The arrest of several individuals in connection with the attack on Lekso is a positive first step toward justice. The safety of every Georgian journalist and the credibility of democracy in Georgia require that every individual who attacked peaceful citizens and journalists on July 5 and 6, or who incited violence, must be identified, arrested, and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. We call for calm and an end to the violence that has already caused one tragic loss of life". see more... source:

Comments by EU Ambassador Hartzell upon news of the death of Mr. Lekso Lashkarava: "It is with sorrow I learned today about the tragic death of Pirveli TV cameraman Lekso Lashkarava. My deepest condolences go out to his family, friends and colleagues. Mr. Lekso Lashkarava was severely beaten as he was covering the violence that took place in Tbilisi around the Pride events on 5 July. While still awaiting the results of the investigation into the cause of his death, let me reiterate the EU’s strong condemnation of all violence and our staunch and unwavering support to the freedom of media and assembly". see more... source: European Union in Georgia

Tbilisi. NGOs statement: “We, the undersigned organizations, express our utmost concern and sorrow over the passing of Lekso Lashkarava, the operator of „TV Pirveli”. We would like to offer our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. …  Following the large-scale violence of July 5, which resulted in dozens of injuries to journalists and civilians and the death of the operator of “TV Pirveli” after sustaining serious injuries, all organizers, participants and perpetrators of violence, regardless of their secular or religious status should be brought to justice. The political responsibility for the severe consequences lies with the government, which has in fact refused to perform its function to protect human health and life.  Therefore, the undersigned organizations request at least: Immediate resignation of the Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Gharibashvili and the Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia Vakhtang Gomelauri”.  See more source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. EPRC extends its condolences to the family and colleagues of Lekso Lashkarava, a cameraman of the channel TV Pirveli. “We call on the relevant agencies to respond immediately to this tragic fact. We demand that the investigation and expertise be conducted in a transparent and efficient manner and that all organizers, participants, and facilitators of the crime be punished”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

On July 8, the European Commission launched the second phase of its EU4Energy programme – ‘Promoting the Clean Energy Transition in the Eastern Partnership Countries: EU4Energy Phase II’. The Programme, which will run until December 2024, aims to contribute to the development of sound legislative and regulatory frameworks for energy, to support the region’s transition to clean energy, and the liberalisation of its energy markets. Read more… Source: euneighbours.eu

Tbilisi. Social Justice Center (formerly EMC) responds to criminal persecution of homeless and displaced people living on the territory of “Okros ubani” in the Chugureti district. “The state creates a dangerous precedent for criminalizing homelessness, which will make it possible in the future to bring evicted citizens to justice and punish them for lack of alternative housing and homelessness”. The organization calls on the state to prevent criminal persecution of homeless people and provide them with decent and long-term alternative housing. Read more… Source: socialjustice.org.ge

Tbilisi. IDFI, with the support of the European Union, held an online workshop on the Covid-19 pandemic-related public procurements. The purpose of the event was to discuss the challenges of accessibility of the Covid-19 related public procurements and ways to address them with the participation of the representatives of public institutions, media, and civil society. Learn more... Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. Rights Georgia has launched a new project on refoulement issues. Within the framework of the project Rights Georgia will provide migrants with respective legal consultations on refoulement and non-refoulement proceedings. Furthermore, three researches will be conducted, which aim to identify practical and legislative challenges in the field of migration and therefore, the respective solutions will be suggested. Read more… Source: rights.ge