Tbilisi. Public Defender and Councils of National Minorities and Religions of Public Defender release the statement. “We urge all citizens of Georgia - all those who value peace and security in Georgia and in the region - to refrain as much as possible from using hate speech on ethno-religious or other grounds, including via social networks. We call on the media to be careful with disseminating the kind of information that may fuel or even slightly escalate tension between ethnic groups. We call on the state agencies to actively cooperate with representatives of relevant ethnic groups, community and religious leaders and organizations in order to maintain and strengthen tolerant environment in our country and in the region”. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. The Public Defender of Georgia is responding to the illegal detention of a Georgian citizen, Irakli Bebua, by the occupation regime on the occupied territory of Abkhazia. “According to reports, Irakli Bebua burnt a flag of the de facto republic. In addition, the de facto law enforcement agency accuses him of intentionally destructing property and illegally possessing ammunition. Given the nature of the action allegedly carried out by Irakli Bebua, it is likely that the de facto authorities artificially aggravated charges against him. Given all of the above, the Public Defender calls on the Georgian Government to strengthen efforts, with the help of international organizations, to release Irakli Bebua from illegal detention”. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. PMMG is highly concerned with the incidents as well as the facts of violence taken place in Marneuli and Sadakhlo on 28 and 29 September. On 28 September, in the village of Sadakhlo, Marneuli municipality, the activist of political party “European Georgia” was attacked. According to PMMG, interference in the works of media is unacceptable and consequently it calls upon the respective governmental institutions, to timely, impartially and effectively investigate the underlined incidents and display the respective stance regarding the identification and legal treatment of any individuals involved in the incidents. Read more... Source: The organization's page in the social network

Tbilisi. On September 29, there was conducted a roundtable – discussion, organized by the Rondeli Foundation and the Office of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (OSCE HCNM). The topic of the discussion was – “Engagement of ethnic minorities in political processes - 2020 parliamentary elections”. Representatives of minorities talked about main problems that exist in the field of political engagement, while in the second part of the event, representatives of political parties presented their visions of problems, in accordance with their election programs, and discussed ways how to solve them. Read more… Source: The website of the organization in a social network

Tbilisi. On September 23, 2020, Ghasan Khalili, Representative of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Georgia, met with Madona Basiladze and Tamta Chechelashvili at the Western Georgia Division of the Public Defender's Office. "The situation of children's rights in the regions of western Georgia and the role of the Public Defender in the context of the pandemic (COVID-19) were discussed at the meeting. Particular emphasis was placed on the child’s right to education and the challenges relating to remote learning. The growing number of cases of domestic violence against children, child poverty, difficult social conditions of families and the situation in these areas in the regions of Georgia were other topics of discussion". Read more... Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. Civil society organizations express their extreme concern in regard to another attack of Irakli Kobakhidze, Executive Secretary of “Georgian Dream”, the ruling party, on Nino Lomjaria, the Public Defender of Georgia.  “Unfortunately, unsubstantiated and insulting statements about the Public Defender have already become a habit as for members of “Georgian Dream”, as well as for representatives of both legislative and executive authorities. The only purpose of these statements is to discredit the most important constitutional institution, divert attention from real problems and challenges existing in the field of human rights. We, the signatory organizations call on the political team of “Georgian Dream” to refrain from making insulting statements against the Public Defender, both directly or indirectly, as well as to discontinue their attempts to obstruct activities of this institution”, - is noted in the joint statement. Read more… Source: isfed.ge

Tbilisi. Civil society organizations respond to facts of interrogation of lawyers of the family of Tamar Bachaliashvili in the presence of a magistrate judge, as well as seizure of a personal mobile phone of Mikheil Ramishvili within the framework of an investigation launched on the ground of the fact of falsification of evidences by the Prosecutor’s Office. CSOs consider that these actions might be acknowledged as deliberate attempt to use justice for other purposes, in particular - to influence the position of the family of Bachaliashvili and defenders of her rights. “We call on the Prosecutor's Office of Georgia to remain in the legal space, immediately stop any type of interference in the activities of lawyers and respect their professional independence”, - is noted in the joint statement. Read more… Source: gdi.ge

Tbilisi. On September 24, 2020, the Public Defender of Georgia and the Council of Religions of the Public Defender of Georgia presented recommendations drawn up in 2020 concerning the challenges relating to freedom of religion and religious minorities. The event was supported by the Promoting Integration, Tolerance, and Awareness (PITA) Programme, which is being carried out by the UN Association of Georgia (UNAG) with the financial support of the US Agency for International Development (USAID). Read more…  Source: The web-page of the organization

Human Rights Center, in the frame of the project “Free Legal Advocacy and Human Rights Monitoring After the COVID-19 Pandemic”, organized field visits to the project targeted regions of Imereti, and Kvemo Kartli.  The project regional lawyers met citizens and informed them about the free legal aid Human Rights Center can offer them to advocate their breached human rights.  Read more…   Source: Page in the social network

Tbilisi. A new Handbook on legal issues of domestic violence and violence against women for law students is initiated with USAID/PROLoG’s support. “The aim of drafting the handbook is to create a comprehensive teaching material, to collect all existing legislation on domestic violence and violence against women as well as commentaries theron in order to make it easily accessible for law students”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page in the social network

Tbilisi. The Public Defender’s Office of Georgia has drawn up an information bulletin on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in and out of the Context of Novel Coronavirus Pandemic. The document reviews the efforts of national human rights institutions, various international organizations and networks in the direction of the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities. Information Bulletin  Read more…  Source: The web-page of the organization

Tbilisi. On August 17, Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) and the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) submitted a coalition alternative report on the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to the UN Human Rights Committee. The alternative report has been prepared within the framework of the fifth cycle of review of the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights by Georgia. The report evaluates the main developments that took place during the last 6 years in relation to all civil and political rights stipulated by the Covenant, it also appraises the state of implementation of recommendations made by the Committee within the framework of the previous, fourth cycle. Read more… Source: www.gyla.ge

Tbilisi. Fair Labor Platform releases a statement in regard to death of two and injury of one electricians, employed at JSC “Georgian Railway”, during dismantling of a high voltage transmission line support structure on September 17 in the city of Kutaisi. “The issue of working conditions of those employed at high-risk work places is still problematic and acute in the country. Despite certain changes made at the legislative level, the state is still unable to create fair and safe working conditions for those employed at high-risk work places. Work of people employed at such facilities is extremely vulnerable and dangerous for both their life and health”, - is noted in the statement. Read more… Source:www.gyla.ge

Tbilisi. Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) publishes analysis of legislation and practice of secret surveillance in Georgia. “Under the current regulations, there is little trust that in the conduct of secret investigative measures state interference in private life would be proportional to its legitimate aim. Lack of trust towards the government is dwelling from its reluctance to address the challenges, which are being highlighted by various international as well as domestic organizations”, is noted in the analytical document. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. “Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC)” responds to a resolution adopted by the European Parliament on September 16 of the current year. The resolution is about the implementation of the Association Agreement between Georgia and the European Union and contains an evaluation of the development of the country in various directions, including those related to the rule of law, human rights, and justice issues. Read more… Source: emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. According to information released by Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center, on September 16, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the implementation of the Association Agreement signed between Georgia and the European Union, which, along with other issues, touches upon shortcomings of labor legislation in Georgia.  EMC once again calls on the Parliament of Georgia to support the package of amendments to labor legislation and, together with other important regulations, ensure the establishment of full-fledged labor inspection.  Read more… Source: emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. On September 15, 2020, Nino Lomjaria, Public Defender of Georgia, met with Daniil Khochabo, Deputy Director of the Council of Europe Directorate of Political Affairs, Maxime Longangué, Adviser of the Council of Europe Directorate of Political Affairs, and Natalia Voutova, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Georgia. “The purpose of the meeting was to share information on the consolidated report of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, relating to the human rights situation in the occupied territories of Georgia”. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. The Fair Labor Platform considers that a labor inspection reform is delayed. “Adoption of a labor inspection reformhas been suspended for unknown reasons. The Fair Labor Platform calls on the Parliament of Georgia to timely resume revision of the reform and ensure its adoption. The Parliament of Georgia already supported the labor inspection reform,presented in the spring of 2020, onthe first hearing. The Healthcare and Social Issues Committee essentially approved legislative changes, however, revision of the bill on the second hearing at the plenary session has not been carried out yetand is suspended for unknown reasons and an indefinite period”, - is stated on the website of GYLA. Read more… Source:gyla.ge

Tbilisi. On September 9, 2020, Nino Lomjaria, Public Defender of Georgia, presented Special Report on the Results of the Monitoring Carried out in Preschool Educational Institutions. “The monitoring made it clear that the situation had improved after the monitoring conducted by the Public Defender's Office in 2014, mainly in terms of healthy and balanced food, as well as special nutritional needs. However, despite the efforts of the state and municipalities, a number of issues remain in kindergartens unresolved, which require more efforts from the relevant structures”, is noted in the statement. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) publishes a blog post: Funding and rating of Public Broadcaster in 3 years after the start of a reform. “According to our data, in 2018-2019 years rating of the broadcaster had a slight increase. It should be noted that the existing increase in the rating is mostly due to new projects and mega shows initiated on the channel. However, considering the role of Public Broadcaster defined by law, there arise questions as to how much these programs serve the public good. In the beginning of 2017, Vasil Maglaperidze stated that he would resign from his position if the rating of Public Broadcaster was not more than 15% by 2019. TVMR data show that the rating of the broadcaster did not reach the desired level by 2019. Maglaperidze resigned on August 18, 2020, however he did not name the rating problem as the reason for quitting his position”. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. According to information released by Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC), next event of the Solidarity Platform was held on September 5-6.  “Discussions, carried out within the framework of the event, were related to participation of non-dominant ethnic and religious groups in public life. During meetings, Naira Gelashvili and Giorgi Tarkhan-Mouravigave their speeches on the topic: How did we come to this point? A civic equality and integration policy of Georgia in the 1990s and 2000s. Besides, speeches were made by Teona Piranishvili and Kamran Mammadli, researchers of EMC”, - is stated on the website of the organization. Read more… Source: emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) presented the third interim report of a pre-election monitoring of the 2020 elections of the Parliament of Georgia. “The report mainly contains a review of the period from August 4 through September 5, 2020, as well as developments that have been initiated before August 4. According to the appraisal of the organization, signs of alleged bribing ofvoters and use of administrative resources during the reporting period remain a major challenge for the electoral environment”, - is stated on the website of the organization. Read more… Source: isfed.ge