Tbilisi. Public Defender provided information to representatives of the NGOs working on the rights of conflict-affected persons about the rights situation of the conflict-affected population reflected in the parliamentary report 2017 and listened to their opinions and assessments. The rights situation in the occupied territories and along the dividing line, the so-called borderization process and violation of property rights, integrity and freedom of a person were discussed at the meeting. In full Source: The organization’s webpage

Tbilisi. On 4 May 2018, the judgment rendered by a judge of the Tbilisi City Court – Lasha Tavartkiladze – in the case of the Tbilisi City Hall v. Aiisa constituted a serious interference with the right to freedom of expression of the owner of the company Aiisa. ''The hearing on the report of an administrative violation by Aiisa’s owner, Ani Gachechiladze, that was drawn up by the City Services’ Supervision Department of the Tbilisi City Hall was held on 2 May 2018 in Tbilisi City Court. The City Hall submitted that the imagery on the packaging of Aiisa condoms was unethical as it infringed public morals, religious feelings of a particular group and national dignity. The Tbilisi City Hall demanded imposition of a fine on the condom manufacturer (GEL 500) and prohibiting the manufacturer from future use of such packaging and advertisement'', is noted in the statement. In full… Source: gdi.ge

Tbilisi. International Workers' Day is marked on May 1 and World Day for Safety and Health at Work is marked on April 28. By responding to these days, we would like to emphasize the problems and challenges in the field of labour rights in order to raise awareness of these issues on the one hand and increase the sensitivity of the responsible agencies on the other hand. ''International Workers' Day is marked on May 1 and World Day for Safety and Health at Work is marked on April 28. By responding to these days, we would like to emphasize the problems and challenges in the field of labour rights in order to raise awareness of these issues on the one hand and increase the sensitivity of the responsible agencies on the other hand. Ensuring safe working environment is one of the most serious challenges in Georgia. Hopefully, improvement of the current situation will be an irreversible process after August 1, when sanctions envisaged by the Law on Safety at Work will take effect. At the same time, it is important to further develop labour safety regulations in order to improve the health and life of each employee in the workplace'', is noted in the statement. In full… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. On April 30 and May 1, 2018, Public Defender Nino Lomjaria presented a report on the situation of human rights and freedoms in 2017 and the recommendations included in it to the Human Rights and Civil Integration Committee of the Parliament of Georgia. ''The Public Defender noted that even though the report’s format had been shrunk, all important information, identified and examined problems would be properly reflected in special reports, where every single case of violations of human rights would be discussed in detail'', is noted in the statement. In full… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. Non-governmental organizations demand resignation of Sophio Kiladze, Chairman of the Human Rights and Civil Integration Committee. ''Her attitude towards vulnerable groups is incompatible with the officially declared policy of the state of Georgia, in some cases it contradicts the policy, carries a discriminatory and homophobic character and is directed to justify oppression of specific groups. We, signatory organizations consider that Chairman of the Human Rights and Civil Integration Committee has to resign from her position'' – is noted in the statement. Read more... Source:www.transparency.ge

Tbilisi. In April 2018, Public Defender Nino Lomjaria nominated Tamar Mearkishvili, Akhalgori based activist, for the United Nations Human Rights Prize and Václav Havel Human Rights Prize for her outstanding contribution to defending the rights of conflict-affected population. ''Activist and blogger Tamar Mearkishvili has been reporting difficult rights situation in the occupied town of Akhalgori and violation of the rights of local population by the de facto authorities, at the risk of putting her own life, health and safety in danger'', is noted in the statement. In full… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. On April 23, the Board of Trustees of one of the Tbilisi schools reviewed a fact of violence committed by a teacher against a schoolchild and left the decision of a director regarding dismissal of the teacher valid. ''Violent action of the teacher resulted in a physical contact (physical assault) with the schoolchild in order to stop the schoolchild copying a task from a book. The contact hurt the schoolchild, disgraced dignity and caused emotional stress'' – is stated on the website of the organization. Read more… Source: phrgeorgia.wordpress.com

Tbilisi. On April 16, 2018, the Public Defender sent a proposal to the Government of Georgia relating to the provision of adequate services to the beneficiaries of small group homes after they reach full age. ''The monitoring carried out by the Public Defender's Office in small group homes showed that one of the most important challenges is the failure to protect the rights of the beneficiaries of small group homes after they turn 18 and leave the service, and to prepare them for independent life. In many cases, 18-year-old persons leave the service so that they are not prepared for independent life – they are not employed, do not have a profession relevant to their interests and are not provided with housing. The state does not have a specific service supporting 18-year-old persons that would be tailored to their basic needs in order to enable them to get education and be protected from poverty, violence and other threats'', is noted in the statement. In full… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. A civil platform ''No to Phobia!'' releases a statement regarding an initiative about punishment for insulting religious feelings. ''An initiative, which has been presented to the Parliament by Emzar Kvitsiani, a Member of the Parliament of Georgia, and imposes criminal responsibility for ''insulting religious feelings'' is extremely concerning. Such an initiative contradicts both constitutional and international standards of freedom of expression and is an attempt to suppress critical thinking in society''. Read more… Source:  article42.ge

Tbilisi. The Public Defender of Georgia, addressed the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia with regard to the cases of violation of the referral procedure by general educational institutions. "The Department of Gender Equality of the Public Defender's Office has studied a number of cases of early marriage/engagement, when general educational institutions were aware of the marriage/ engagement but did not apply to relevant state agencies. Despite the fact that early marriage violates the child’s right to health, education, equality, protection from violence and exploitation, there are frequent cases when no measures are taken to protect the child’s interests, the reasons of which are traditional factor, willing marriage or the couple’s desire to live together”, - Is mentioned in the recommendation.   In full Source: The organization’s webpage

Tbilisi. ''Georgian Democracy Initiative'' filed a brief of a friend of the court (Amicus Curiae) on the criminal case of Irakli Chkhvirkia in the Kutaisi Court of Appeals. Irakli Chkhvirkia, in connection with developments of March 11-12, 2017 in Batumi, was found guilty in arranging a group action and, as an extent of punishment, sentenced to one year and six months imprisonment. The organization considers that ''it is unjustifiable to qualify an action as an arrangement of a group action while there is no connection identified among the convict, members of the group and their actions''. Read more... Source:gdi.ge

Tbilisi. The Public Defender of Georgia addressed the kindergarten ‘W. P.’ with a recommendation concerning establishment of direct discrimination on grounds of behavior. According to the factual circumstances of the case, the applicant's 2-year-old child was expelled from the kindergarten after the administration found that the child was hyperactive and could not work with other children in the group. After studying the case, the Public Defender concluded that the kindergarten administration did not take all the necessary measures that could help the applicant's child integrate with other children. In full  Source: The organization’s webpage

Tbilisi. Public Defender Nino Lomjaria is responding to a video spread via social networks, which shows child abuse and bullying. The video is taken by children and shows cruel attitude, threatening and inappropriate words and actions towards a child. The video footage clearly shows the juvenile's face and accordingly, it is easy to identify the child, which violates the child’s right to privacy and threatens his/her psycho-emotional state. According to the information available to us, the video is being widely spread via social networks, which is inadmissible. In full  Source: The organization’s webpage

Tbilisi. On April 20, 2018, Public Defender Nino Lomjaria presented a monitoring report on the state employment programs intended for persons with disabilities. ''The Public Defender's special report evaluates and analyzes the current normative base, including three state programs approved by the Government's decree, as well as information received from the Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia and LEPL Social Service Agency. The document also includes the results of the meetings held with persons with disabilities in various cities of Georgia'', is noted in the statement. In full… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. Non-governmental organizations consider that an initiative of Arveladze, a member of the Parliament, is contrary to goals of the Anti-Corruption Policy of Georgia and international commitments of the country. ''The proposed project significantly weakens an existing prevention and sanctioning standard, increases probability of conflict of interests and reduces possibility of carrying out public control over officials'' – is noted in the joint statement. Read more… Source: www.transparency.ge

Tbilisi. Nino Lomjaria, Public Defender of Georgia, is responding to the video spread via social network, which shows alleged neglect of a child. ''On April 18, 2018, the Public Defender personally met the child, his parent and a doctor treating him; immediate communication was also held with the Social Service Agency. Despite the parental consent, the Public Defender refrains from disclosing information about the child’s health; however, she notes that the psycho-emotional condition of the child, including the relationship with his family, is satisfactory at this stage. The child is involved in the process of education and his basic medical and social needs are satisfied'', is noted in the statement. In full… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. Non-governmental organizations demand an immediate response from both Parliament and Government sides in regard to the case of a Tkibuli mine. ''An industrial accident, occurred on April 5 in Tkibuli, which claimed lives of six mine workers and caused injuries to three of them, revealed ineffectiveness of recent steps taken by the State and inability of the existing policy to actually insure the risks that entail death and injuries of those employed. We consider that the State should immediately recognize and acknowledge its important role in ensuring physical and social security of those employed and their families'' – is noted in the statement of the organization. Read more... Source:gyla.ge

Tbilisi. Public Defender Nino Lomjaria is expressing sorrow at the murder of a woman in Tbilisi on 13 April 2018 and is offering sympathy to the family and relatives of the victim. ''Despite the fact that the rate of identification of domestic violence has increased in recent years and at first glance, the problem has moved from a closed social circle to public space, the number of brutal forms of violence and murder is still high. 14 out of 26 cases of killing of women in 2017 were a result of domestic violence and 12 out of 15 murder attempts were related to domestic crimes'', is noted in the statement. The Public Defender has been constantly indicating the inefficiency of protective measures and necessity for strengthening preventive measures. In full… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. Non-governmental organizations respond to the case of Salome Tatishvili who died on a ski track on January 10, 2016 in Gudauri. ''As it is known, 12-year-old Salome Tatishvili was skiing on a track when another youngster collided with her on a high speed from behind. As a result of received injuries Salome Tatishvili died on the spot. The verdict made by the Tbilisi City Court indicates that in several cases reasoning of the Court is abstract and unreliable. Judgments provided in the verdict show that, in a number of cases, evidences are interpreted and evaluated by the judge unilaterally and uniform testimonies of several witnesses are left without attention'' – is noted in the joint statement. Read more… Source:phrgeorgia.wordpress.com

Tbilisi. On April 12, 2018, Public Defender Nino Lomjaria met with Minister of Corrections Kakha Kakhishvili and received information about the reforms implemented and ongoing in the penitentiary system, as well as the future plans. In full… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. Civil Society platform ''No to Phobia!'' releases a statement regarding a fact of assault on black students. ''The fact of assault on black students that took place in the evening on April 8 in a Digomi district is extremely alarming. A widespread video reflects racist motives of attackers. This incident, along with other recently revealed acts committed on the basis of intolerance, indicates necessity of passing a consistent and systematic anti-discrimination policy by the state'' - the website of the organization reads. Read more... Source:mdfgeorgia.ge

Tbilisi. M.R., a victim of violence, and her juvenile child applied to ''Sapari'' for help. ''Since 2017, an employee of the State Security Service had been committing sexual, economic, physical and psychological violence against M.R. and her juvenile child. On March 21, the Tbilisi City Court found the employee of the State Security Service guilty and sentenced him to spend 4 years in prison and pay GEL 5000 as a fine'' – is stated on the website of the organization. Read more... Source:sapari.ge