Tbilisi. Civil society organizations release the statement on the possible election of Sofio Kiladze as a member to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC). “We, the undersigned organizations, underline that the state ignored the UN recommended selection procedure when selecting the candidate for the CRC membership and nominated Ms. Sopio Kiladze who does not represent for strong belief and respect for equality and human rights. Ms. Kiladze during her tenure as the Chair of the Human Rights and Civil Integration Committee has on numerous occasions demonstrated homophobic attitudes and selectiveness in supporting human rights, especially the rights of minority groups. We, the signatory organizations believe that the parties casting their votes should be aware of the civil society position before making a voting decision”, is noted in the statement. Read more… Source: phrgeorgia.wordpress.com

Tbilisi. Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) and the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association call on the Parliament of Georgia to carry out a reform of the labor legislation necessary to guarantee basic rights of those employed. “Labor rights are totally violated in the country. Dangerous and degrading work environment, unregulated working hours, work without breaks and day offs, unpaid overtime work, discrimination at the workplace and other common practices of violation of rights on the background of weak mechanisms of enforcement of labor law lead to mass exploitation and vulnerability of those employed”, - is noted in the joint statement. Read more… Source: emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) publishes a document: One year since June 20-21 developments.  “In a year time since June 20-21, 2019 developments, this document appraises effectiveness of response of the state to violations of rights caused by the use of the mass police force, outcomes of the ongoing investigation towards citizens and against the police, existing so far. The document refers on information received from relevant agencies, material provided in public sources, a special report of the Public Defender in regard to the ongoing investigation in June 20-21 developments conducted at the Prosecutor’s Office”, - is stated on the website of the organization.  Read more… Source: emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. Coalition for Euro-Atlantic Georgia member organizations respond to the intention of possible assassination of Giorgi Gabunia, a journalist, and consider it as a Russian plan to destabilize Georgia. “In its reports, the State Security Service also emphasizes a threat posed by the Russian soft power. On this background, taking a journalist as a possible target can be considered as an action directed against security of the country and towards possible destabilization. We, the signatory organizations condemn actions taken by representatives of Russian authorities and those under their control against sovereignty of Georgia and its citizens. We call on the Government of Georgia to conduct an investigation transparently, ensure engagement of experts from friendly countries in it and provide public with complete information regarding the planned crime”, - is noted in the joint statement. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. Media Advocacy Coalition member organizations call on the Government of Georgia to respond respectively and demand to have investigative bodies release timely and substantiated information about news broadcasted by “Mtavari Arkhi” in regard to planning assassination of Giorgi Gabunia.  Read more… Source: The website of the Coalition in a social network

Tbilisi. Civil society organizations respond to the State Security Service call of Tamta Mikeladze, one of the directors of Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC), for interrogation. “According to the general explanation of SSG, the investigation concerns racial discrimination, as certain individuals attempt to stir up strife between ethnic Georgians and Azerbaijanis in the Kvemo Kartli and Kakheti regions. Starting the investigation by SSG with a vague objective, and, as a result, calling the head of the non-governmental organization for interrogation, may be perceived as an indication and warning to civil activists. This practice is dangerous also due to the fact that most probably SSG will require signing of a Non-Disclosure Agreement, which will make it impossible not only to discuss effectively correctness of the fact of calling the head of the non-governmental organization for interrogation in this context, but also to allow Tamta Mikeladze, a critically important activist in informing society regarding ethnic minority problems, to provide public with alternative information, coming from authorities, freely and unrestrictedly”, - is noted in the joint statement. Read more… Source: gyla.ge

Tbilisi. Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) calls on the Parliament of Georgia to timely review an initiated package of amendments to the Labor Law, which, despite a number of shortcomings, envisages substantial guarantees for rights of workers. Read more…  Source:emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. Signatory organizations and activists respond to June 14, the day for protection of rights of people with disabilities in Georgia, and call on the Government to establish strong legislative or institutional mechanisms to support people with disabilities as well as to ensure their effective engagement in public life. Read more… Source: emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) responds to an industrial incident that took place on June 9 in Tkibuli and threatened lives of 22 miners. The organization calls on the state to urgently investigate both the occurred incident and current situation in mines and to not allow coal mining to continue in a life-threatening environment. “The incident that took place on June 9, which became known two days later, is connected to the elevator, so called “Klet”, descending into the mine. The elevator went out of order and kept miners in the shaft for several hours. Those employed to work in the shaft refuse to enter it until relevant inspection is performed and the elevator is repaired. It should be emphasized that refusing to work in a hazardous environment is their guaranteed right stipulated by the Labor Code”, - is stated on the website of the organization. Read more… Source: emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) still continues to provide legal assistance to those affected by the June 13 disaster and defends their rights in court.  “On the example of cases under proceeding of GYLA, there have been revealed shortcomings in work of state agencies before, during and after the disaster, besides, it has been found that actions of state agencies were untimely and ineffective”, -is stated on the website of the organization. Read more… Source: gyla.ge

According to European Commission’s report the coronavirus pandemic has been accompanied by a massive wave of false and misleading information, attempts by foreign actors to influence domestic debates in the EU, breeding on the fertile ground of people’s most basic anxieties and the rapidly changing news cycle.  Misleading healthcare information, dangerous hoaxes with false claims conspiracy theories and consumer fraud endanger public health. False or misleading information around coronavirus can damage societal cohesion, but above all, it is a threat to public health. False or misleading narratives come in different forms that require different responses. •content may not be illegal as defined by law, but still harmful •it can range from disinformation (defined as intentional) to misinformation •it can include misleading healthcare information, consumer fraud, cyber-crime, illegal hate speech as well as targeted influence operations by foreign actors. •the motivation behind it can range from economic gain (online scams) causing public harm, to political purposes •foreign actors and certain third countries, in particular Russia and China, have engaged in targeted influence operations and disinformation campaigns in the EU, its neighbourhood, and globally. False claims such as ‘drinking bleach or pure alcohol can cure the coronavirus infections’: on the contrary, drinking bleach or pure alcohol can be very harmful. Belgium’s Poison Control Centre has recorded an increase of 15% in the number of bleach-related incidents. Conspiracy theories, such as the claim that coronavirus is 'an infection caused by the world’s elites for reducing population growth'. The scientific evidence is clear: the virus comes from a family of viruses originating in animals that include other viruses such as SARS and MERS. Claims that '5G installations would be spreading the virus'. These theories had no specific substantiation and led to attacks on masts. The EU needs to empower citizens, raise awareness and increase societal resilience. The EU will share best practices on resilience-building measures in the coronavirus context. The Commission will support and promote media literacy projects, critical thinking and digital skills, as well as civil society organisations. It will strengthen coordination among institutions, networks and Member States to share awareness-raising material and best practices. The Commission will pay particular attention to vulnerable groups, in particular children and young people, who face a higher risk of being misled. Read more… Source: ec.europa.eu

Tbilisi. Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) and the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association call on the Parliament to expedite a labor reform. “We, signatory organizations, respond to the fact of death of three people at their workplace and next incident occurred at the Tkibuli coal mining enterprise due to life-threatening working conditions during the last week, and call on the Parliament of Georgia to expedite review of bills submitted to the legislative body. These bills contain important guarantees of rights of workers and legislative amendments necessary for effective enforcement of labor legislation”, - is noted in the statement. Read more… Source: gyla.ge

Tbilisi. On June 13, at 12:00, there will be conducted a webinar on the topic: How to provide assistance to a student who is victim of violence. The webinar will be led by Pshemislav Staron, the best teacher of 2018 in Poland and the finalist of Global Teacher Prize 2020. Translation of the webinar will be performed simultaneously from Polish into Georgian language. If you would like to know How the psyche of a student responds to domestic violence; How it affects functioning of a student in school; What kind of help a student should get from a teacher, register at the following link...  The webinar is organized by both Fundacja HumanDoc HumanDoc South Caucasus Regional Office in Tbilisi and Bridge of Friendship Kartlosi. Read more… Source: The website of the organization in a social network

Tbilisi. Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) responds to cases of death of workers at work on a construction on June 7 and 9 of this year in Batumi and Marneuli, and calls on the state to ensure safe work.  “Despite a reform, conducted on a legislative level, and institutional enhancement of the labor inspectorate, the state is still unable to create decent and safe working conditions for workers employed at construction sites. The work of those employed at such sites is extremely fragmented, vulnerable, life-threatening and dangerous for their health”.  Read more…  Source: emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. The Coalition for Media Advocacy considers that developments occurred around Adjara Public Broadcaster are still critical. “So far it is the seventh day of the hunger strike that takes place in front of Adjara Broadcaster. Shorena Glonti, Head of News Service, has also become a victim of persecution and harassment, she has even been fired from her work today. The responsibility for these and other events lies with authorities of Adjara Broadcaster - Director and Board of Trustees”. Read more… Source: gyla.ge

Tbilisi. Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) publishes a collection of translations: racism, capitalism, patriarchy - collection of translations. “The collection gathers translations of public speeches, essays and interviews of African-American activists, researchers and thinkers into the Georgian language. Authors disclose the history and structural causes, which condition existence of racism in the United States, and work out various ways in which it is possible to criticize the existing system, confront it, or seek ways of solidarity among different groups”, - is stated on the website of the organization. Read more… Source: emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) responds to dismantling of unauthorized constructions in the Rekhi settlement planned by the Tbilisi City Hall. The organization calls on the City Hall to protect and take into account interests of those left homeless as much as possible. “Given the obligation to guarantee the right to adequate housing, it is important to have municipal agencies consider vulnerability of residents of the Rekhi settlement and avoid taking steps, which will further aggravate their conditions, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Any action applied by the municipality in regard to this issue should take rights and interests of residents into account accordingly and ensure their homelessness is prevented”, - is noted in the statement of the organization. Read more… Source: emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. On June 2, 2020 “Institute for Development of Freedom of Information” submitted a report to the UN Human Rights Council for the 3rd Cycle of Universal Periodic Review. The report deals with the following pressingissues: 1) Administration of Justice and Fair Trial; 2) Freedom of Expression/Access to Information; 3) Right to Privacy. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) has revealed significant challenges in the operation of the system of distribution of cases. For example, chairman of court still retains problematic authorities, including rights to determine shifts, make changes to them, and define composition of judges of narrow specialization. Read more…

Tbilisi. Children and adolescents have been greatly affected by the COVID-19 global pandemic. UNICEF is particularly concerned about the impact on those that have inequitable access to basic services and resources. “Children living in overcrowded households or in inadequate conditions, like lacking hand-washing and other hygiene facilities, are particularly vulnerable to rapid COVID-19 transmission. According to UNICEF’s Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, 29,800 children in Georgia have no handwashing facility with water and soap in the household. This means they are exposed to a greater risk of COVID-19 infection. All children should continue to learn during the ongoing crisis and be able to safely return to school. Children who are already marginalized by lack of access to digital tools and internet connectivity, favourable home learning environments and parental support, risk falling further behind”, is noted in the statement. Read more… Source: www.unicef.org

Tbilisi. Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) demands protection of children from gambling industry. “Engagement of children in gambling, along with the high rate of child poverty and gaps in the education system, remains a serious challenge that increases the risk of chronic poverty and psychosocial problems. To ensure a safe environment and healthy development for minors, EMC calls on the Government of Georgia to enact strict gambling regulation mechanisms as soon as possible and prevent engagement of minors in gambling”. Read more… Source: emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association submitted its views regarding the package of amendments to the Labor Code, initiated by members of parliament, to Healthcare and Human Rights Committees of the Parliament of Georgia. “Despite the fact that the amendments to the “Labor Code” and the bill of Georgia on “Labor Inspection” increase guarantees for legal protection of those employed, GYLA considered it necessary to submit additional comments to the Parliament of Georgia in order to facilitate improvement of the bill and elimination of existing shortcomings”. Read more… Source: gyla.ge