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

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

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. The Human Rights Center has completed a project - “Free legal advocacy and human rights monitoring after the coronavirus pandemic”. According to information released by the organization, the Center:  “Provided 2010 free legal consultations; Processed 130 cases, 60 of which were successfully completed”.  Read more… Source: The website of the organization on a social network

Tbilisi. On July 5, 6 and 7, 2021, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN OHCHR) held a working meeting to enhance cooperation between the State Inspector’s Office and the Public Defender’s Office. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. Social Justice Center considers support of “Guardians of Rioni Valley” for the violent rally unacceptable. “For us, the Save Rioni Valley Movement was a unique attempt of democratic self-organization of our citizens in recent years, which used to give proper naming to the logic and order of unequal and inhuman economic and political development of the country since independence. However, recent decisions of leaders of the movement, unfortunately, do not leave us the opportunity to remain again allies of the Save Rioni Valley Movement in the fight against the unfair, non-transparent and undemocratic energy policy”. Read more… Source: socialjustice.org

Tbilisi. The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) has been engaged in the case of 11 journalists affected on July 5, 2021. An investigation into facts of violence committed against media representatives and obstruction of their journalistic activities has already been launched. At this stage the status of victim is granted to 2 journalists. The organization will continue to work on cases of affected journalists and provide public with up-to-date information on the progress of the investigation periodically. Read more… Source: gyla.ge

Tbilisi. On June 30, 2021, the Public Defender of Georgia submitted a list of issues relating to the protection of the rights of the child to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (for the 90th pre-sessional working group meeting). Ombudsman indicates in the document that the ineffectiveness of the prevention of child suicide, response to domestic violence and child care system remains a challenge in Georgia in terms of the protection of the right to life. She also notes that the State fails to identify victims of sexual violence in a timely manner or to take effective measures to support and rehabilitate them. The Public Defender focuses on the extreme poverty of children in the country, the needs of children living and working on the streets, and the challenges faced by children with disabilities. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

TDI published new report: Freedom of Religion and Belief in Georgia amid and beyond the Covid pandemic The report covers the period of January 2020 - May 2021. report... source: tdi.ge

Tbilisi. Media Checker publishes a list of journalists who were attacked by violent groups at a rally held against the “Pride March” planned to take place on July 5 in Tbilisi. “According to our information, about 40 journalists and cameramen are injured. Some of them are transferred to a hospital with severe injuries. The equipment of televisions and online publications is damaged”. Read more… Source: www.mediachecker.ge

Tbilisi. Green Alternative releases a statement and condemns Tbilisi Pride related developments that have been encouraged by the Government of Georgia and the Patriarchate. “We consider that both of them contributed to stirring up hatred a lot, which today, on July 5, resulted in attacks on journalists, raids on offices of movements and removal of the flag of the Council of Europe from the parliament building. Unfortunately for us, “Guardians of Rioni Valley”, who we considered to be allies in this resistance, took a completely unacceptable position regarding the Pride, while by participating in the human rights abusive action of today, they discredited the entire resistance movement. Thus, Green Alternative discontinues communication with the Save Rioni Valley movement”, - is noted in the statement of the organization. Read more... Source: The website of the organization on a social network

Tbilisi. “Government inaction encourages violence by aggressive groups against the media” – is noted in the statement of the Transparency International Georgia released on July 5. “We call on the authorities to ensure the safety of media representatives in a timely manner, to protect them from physical violence, and to create conditions for the safe conduct of professional activities. It is important for the authorities to investigate each incident effectively and punish all perpetrators with the full force of the law”. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. The Public Defender of Georgia considers the ongoing violent events on Rustaveli Avenue and near the office of the Shame Movement extremely disturbing. „By shifting responsibility onto the peaceful demonstrators, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili further exacerbated the already tense situation, after he described the March of Dignity as a cause for civil confrontation and said that "revanchist and radical" political forces were behind the Pride. The Public Defender once again reminds senior officials that the protection of freedom of peaceful expression and assembly, including by responding to counter-demonstrators' violent actions, is a constitutional obligation of the State and calls on the law enforcement agencies to use legal mechanisms to remove alleged offenders from public spaces“. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. Media Advocacy Coalition calls on the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia to ensure safety of media representatives and participants of “Pride March” while monitoring it. "We, the member organizations of the Coalition, consider that protection and recognition of rights of minorities is a common responsibility. While elimination of discrimination and violence is the special responsibility of the state”. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. On July 1, 2021, Public Defender Nino Lomjaria delivered a speech at the global Generation Equality Forum - "Central Role of Gender Equality in Strengthening Democratic Systems." “The purpose of the high-level meeting was to share the practices of different countries in the field of gender equality; It also provided a unique opportunity to deeply analyze cultural and geographical contexts and link them with women's empowerment strategies. In her speech, the Public Defender spoke about the importance of administration of justice on crimes of sexual violence, as well as the existence of a gender-sensitive criminal justice system, where crimes against women are properly recognized, classified and punished by the prosecution and the judiciary”. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. A civil platform “No to Phobia” calls on the Ministry of Internal Affairs to protect the freedom of assembly and expression of participants of “Pride March” and ensure their safety. “On July 5, there is intended to hold “Pride March” to be organized by “Tbilisi Pride”. The event is threatened by violent, homophobic groups, which use social media during recent days to urge society openly and publicly to commit violence and announce a contraction against participants of the March”. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. In connection with the March of Dignity scheduled for July 5, 2021, the Public Defender of Georgia considers it important for the State to ensure the freedom of assembly and expression of citizens by preventing risks and taking appropriate protection measures. In addition, the statements made by far-right and violent groups, containing threats against the LGBT+ community and their supporters, need special attention and appropriate legal response.  Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. In an informational video, prepared by Social Justice Center, the organization responds to inaccurate, false and manipulative arguments in regard to the Namakhvani HPP project that have been disseminated by its supporters. Source:socialjustice.org.ge

Tbilisi. SOS Children’s Villages Georgia releases an official statement in response to information broadcasted through mass media about two alleged cases of violence that took place in the service of a small family house of the organization in the past. “We, at the organization, are deeply concerned about the fact that living in a small family house turned to be traumatic for our two former beneficiaries and it is very difficult for us to hear their stories. The Association expresses its maximum readiness and openness to facilitate any kind of investigation process within the framework of law; moreover, provide psycho-emotional and legal assistance to both the alleged victim of violence and former foster children through the established practice of the organization. All revealed facts, regardless of the age of the case, always create a precondition for reviewing current systems of monitoring, existing within the organization, in order to ensure upbringing and development of each foster child in a safe and secure environment”, - is noted in the statement. Read more… Source: The website of the organization on a social network