The European Court of Human Rights has informed GYLA that it has begun examining the application lodged against the “Russian law” and has asked the state relevant questions. The court has started considering the case in relation to all the articles that the applicants have complained about.  As is known to the public, on 17 October 2024, 16 media organizations, 120 non-governmental organizations, and 4 individuals addressed the European Court of Human Rights against the “Russian Law” and its severe consequences.  More… Source: GYLA

More than 100 NGOs signed a statement.  „For the third year in a row, Georgian civil society has been telling Ivanishvili that we are not going to live and work under Russian laws. Russian law, in any form, will never be Georgia’s choice. We, the signatory Georgian independent non-governmental and media organizations, remain faithful to the Constitution of Georgia and our mission—to serve the Georgian people“.  More… Source: csf.ge

In the framework of the Enlargement Package, the EU Delegation to Georgia is preparing the Annual Report 2025 on Georgia. The EU is inviting civil society organisations, international organisations and development partners who play a key role in Georgia’s European Integration process to share written contributions for our analysis and in-depth assessment.  More… Source: eu4georgia.eu

A new study, Men, Women, and Gender Relations in Georgia: Public Perceptions and Attitudes, released by the UNDP and UNFPA, with support from Sweden, highlights a complex gender equality landscape.  The findings show a decline in awareness of gender equality principles between 2013 and 2019, underscoring shifting public attitudes and generational divides. Compared to earlier surveys, both women and men now show greater ambivalence towards gender equality, although younger generations are more likely to challenge ‘traditional’ gender roles in domestic and public life.  While 57.5 percent of the population think that a woman's primary responsibility is to care for the family, a significant 62 percent of citizens acknowledge the benefits of greater women’s participation in politics and decision-making.  more... source: UNDP

UNDP introducing interactive Glossary on Disability-Inclusive Terminology guiding the use of respectful language in conversations with or about persons with disabilities.  more... source: UNDP

The EU Business Climate Report Georgia 2024 is out.  „Despite continued economic growth, businesses in Georgia face growing challenges: political instability, workforce shortages, and trade barriers. This year’s report highlights a severe skills gap, costing the economy an estimated 26% of GDP“.  more... source: EU IN GEORGIA

Introducing the EU's Practical Guide for Journalists!  This comprehensive guide was created to help journalists understand the structure and functions of EU institutions, the enlargement and decision-making processes. With resources like audiovisual materials, press contacts, and advice on accreditation, this guide is a must-have for journalists covering EU affairs.  Guide... Source: eu4georgia.eu

UN human rights experts urge the Government of Georgia to take concrete measures to investigate allegations of excessive use of force by law enforcement officials, torture and ill-treatment, and arbitrary detention of peaceful demonstrators and media workers during protests that erupted in the country in November and December 2024 and prevent further violence. “Given the gravity of these events, we expect the Georgian authorities to authorise independent, impartial, transparent and effective investigations in accordance with international standards. Anyone arbitrarily detained should be released, and those in need of medical attention must be provided with it,” the experts said.  More… Source: United Nations Georgia

In response to the current crisis in Georgia, MAC Georgia has launched a scholarship program to support students impacted by ongoing challenges. This initiative is part of the 5 million GEL support fund jointly allocated by TBC Bank and the Bank of Georgia, with generous funding provided by the Bank of Georgia.  More… Source: MAC Georgia

The Georgian Young Lawyers Association publishes the results of monitoring. “ Since November 28, 2024, Georgia has been gripped by large-scale legitimate protests. Protests have been held daily in Tbilisi. The legitimate protests are caused by the suspension of negotiations on accession to the European Union by the Georgian Dream. In addition, these protests are also a continuation of protests related to the elections and, in general, against the democratic backsliding and sharp deterioration of the human rights situation in the country, which were held at various times in 2024”. Mpre… Source: GYLA

On November 28, 2024, Georgia's ruling party, Georgian Dream, announced the suspension of European Union accession negotiations until 2028, citing alleged "blackmail and manipulation" by EU officials. This decision has ignited widespread protests in Tbilisi and raised significant concerns regarding the state's commitment to upholding country’s constitutional aspirations to be part of EU country. Irakli Kobakhidze claimed that the country would join the EU in 2030 “on its own terms, with dignity,” contradicting established EU accession procedures. The decision, which has drawn strong domestic and international backlash, represents a significant shift in Georgia’s constitutionally enshrined pro-European foreign policy. Following the announcement, thousands of demonstrators convened in the capital to express dissent against the government's decision, which many perceive as a deviation from Georgia's pro-European trajectory. Similar protests erupted in other cities, including Zugdidi, Batumi and Kutaisi. Law enforcement's response involved deploying water cannons, tear gas, and pepper spray to disperse the crowds, resulting in numerous injuries and the detention, actions that have been widely criticized as excessive and disproportionate. The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) reported the detention of 43 protesters and injuries to 32 police officers, with 13 requiring surgery. However, human rights organizations documented numerous instances of police brutality, including targeted assaults on peaceful protesters and elderly demonstrators. Media freedom also came under attack during the protests. Multiple journalists, including those from TV Pirveli, Formula TV and Publika, were assaulted while covering the demonstrations. One journalist suffered a broken nose, and others reported injuries from pepper spray and physical beatings. The Media Ombudsman released a statement denouncing the targeted police violence against journalists during the overnight dispersal of the protest. The statement urged the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Special Investigation Service to promptly initiate thorough investigations into the incidents. Starting November 29, the Parliament building will operate under a heightened "red security level," restricting access to all individuals, including journalists, according to the Parliament's press office. Entry will be permitted only to those "authorized by the head of the Parliament office" based on an assessment of the necessity to mitigate potential risks. The suspension of EU accession talks and the subsequent crackdown on protests have drawn condemnation from international actors. EU Ambassador to Georgia, Paweł Herczyński, described the decision as "heartbreaking" and emphasized that it contradicts the will of the Georgian populace, approximately 80% of whom support EU membership. He also condemned the police violence against protesters, highlighting the EU's commitment to democratic principles and human rights. European leaders, including German Bundestag's Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael Roth and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, have expressed solidarity with the Georgian people and criticized the government's actions. Dozens of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs employees have issued a joint statement. They express their commitment to Georgia’s EU aspirations, stressing that the enlargement window that is now open may never be reopened, and if Georgia stops on this path, it risks facing isolation. Around fifty staff members of the Ministry of Defense also issued a joint statement asserting that Georgia's Euro-Atlantic integration path is "irreplaceable" and reaffirming their commitment to Article 78 of the Georgian Constitution, which codifies this direction. Employees of Ministry of Education also issued the statement of similar spirit. The Public Defender calls on the Special Investigation Service/Prosecutor's Office to conduct an effective investigation within a tight timeframe and identify all responsible individuals whose actions, possible orders, or silent consent resulted in the gross violation of the rights of peaceful protesters and journalists. It is also crucial that the investigation is carried out under the correct legal qualification (using specific articles addressing improper treatment), accurately reflecting the assessment of actions that occurred during the night of 28 of October. The recent developments in Georgia, marked by the suspension of EU accession talks and the heavy-handed crackdown on protests, signal a critical juncture for the country's democratic trajectory. The public backlash, ongoing demonstrations, and condemnation from civil society and international actors suggest that this issue will continue to dominate Georgia’s political landscape in the coming weeks. Despite the challenges, the mobilization of students, journalists, and cultural figures highlights a resilient commitment to democratic values and European aspirations, offering hope for continued advocacy and reform.

In Georgia, 1 in 2 women aged 15-69 in Georgia has experienced at least one form of violence in her lifetime.  1 in 4 of ever-partnered women in Georgia has experienced violence from her intimate partner.  Follow the link for the National Survey on Violence against women in Georgia 2022: https://shorturl.at/JLMT The National Survey on Violence against women in Georgia 2022 was conducted by the UN Women and the National Statistics Office of Georgia within the framework of the “Ending Violence against Women and Girls in Georgia” project funded by the European Union and UN Women’s regional flagship programme "Making Every Woman and Girl Count" in Europe and Central Asia. S ource: UN Women

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...

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...

Georgian NGOs, are starting a new phase of the fight against “Russian law.”  The European Court of Human Rights has registered a lawsuit of 16 media organizations, 120 civil society organizations, and four natural persons. More (geo)…  Source: GYLA

Georgian NGOs, are starting a new phase of the fight against “Russian law.” "On October 17, we will appeal “Russian law” and its dire consequences to the European Court of Human Rights on behalf of 16 media organizations, 120 civil society organizations, and four natural persons. Russian law not only aims to restrict civil society and the media but also serves to divide all citizens from each other and suppress critical voices. The applicant organizations work on such public problems as environmental protection, assistance for persons with disabilities, protection against violence against women and children, judicial reform, the fight against corruption, investigative journalism, etc. We, applicant organizations, will argue on violations protected by the European Convention on Human Rights – the right to freedom of assembly and association (Article 11), freedom of expression (Article 10), the right to respect for private and family life (Article 8 ), discrimination (Article 14), the right to an effective remedy (Article 13) and the scope of limitation on use of restrictions on rights (Article 18). Fighting independent organizations with Russian methods not only violates fundamental human rights but also undermines the unwavering choice of the Georgian people regarding integration into the Euro-Atlantic structures. Unfortunately, the constitutional obligation, which obliges the state bodies to protect all these civilizational choices, is violated by the governmental bodies while the Constitutional Court refuses to fulfill its duty. Despite the failure of the Constitutional Court to fulfill its obligations, our fight against Russian law continues, and it will inevitably end with the unconditional victory of the Georgian people.  No to the “Russian law”!  Yes - to the European Union!" source: IDFI

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...

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...

The observation mission “My Voice”, which unites 30 non-governmental organizations, is preparing for an unprecedented large-scale observation mission of the parliamentary elections, the purpose of which is to promote fair elections and protect the votes of Georgian voters. Our observers will monitor the elections both in Georgia and in precincts opened abroad.  They have published the activities of the observation mission so far. More… Source: csf.ge

The new season of "Mestumre" has officially kicked off! This year, we’ve gathered 127 incredible volunteers who are ready to brighten the lives of elderly people across Georgia. For the next 6 months, these volunteers will be companions and conversation partners to residents in 8 elderly care homes across the country, helping to create connections and memories that matter. Each volunteer will undergo a full month of training with MAC Georgia’s psychologists and occupational therapists, ensuring every moment spent together is meaningful and fun!  Source: MAC Georgia

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...

The Information Integrity Coalition published a publication – „Four Laws in Four States, Four Ruling Parties and Identical Disinformation Narratives". Kyrgyzstan, Republika Srpska in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, and Slovakia—almost simultaneously launched or continued efforts to adopt four similar pieces of legislation. „Identical and powerful disinformation narratives accompanied the entire process of enacting "foreign influence transparency" legislation in four different states“. more ... source: The Information Integrity Coalition