Tbilisi. The Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC), within the framework of the ''What’s Your Demand?'' campaign, publishes a demand of Giorgi Giorgadze. The ''What’s Your Demand?'' campaign is an attempt to identify legislative shortcomings and systemic problems existing in the field of labor and environmental protection. Read more… Source:emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. On May 15, 2017, the Public Defender of Georgia held a working meeting with representatives of various ministries and NGOs and discussed issues relating to availability of healthcare services in the occupied territories, recommendations developed by the Public Defender in this direction and solutions to the problems. ''The Public Defender of Georgia has elaborated the following recommendations for the Government of Georgia and the Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs: A mechanism should be developed for enrolling Georgian citizens living in the occupied territories in the referral program; amendments to the Government’s Decree on Establishment of Commission for Making Decisions on Provision of Medical Assistance within the framework of Referral Service and Definition of Rules of Actions should be drafted in order to make uniform practice with regard to all citizens living in the occupied territories, regardless of their citizenship, of a compulsory nature'', is noted in the statement. In full… Source: www.ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. The Constitutional Court has registered a lawsuit prepared by the ''This Affects You'' campaign. ''277 citizens of Georgia have appealed to the Constitutional Court with a claim on a legislative package related to covert surveillance-eavesdropping. The registered lawsuit has already been published on the website of the Constitutional Court. It is not yet clear when the court is intending to hold an essential review of mentioned claims. According to the Rules of Procedure, the deadline for an essential review of a constitutional claim shall not exceed 4 months after the registration date'' – is stated on the website of the organization. Read more… Source: www.esshengexeba.ge

Tbilisi. May 17 is the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia and its celebration is related to the removal of homosexuality from the list of diseases by the World Health Organization in 1990. ''We hope that the relevant agencies will take into account the past experience and will ensure high security during the celebration of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia on the basis of correct assessment of the threats of expected violence. In addition, it is important to raise public awareness of the idea and significance of this day and to reduce homophobic prejudice against LGBT people. Representatives of the Public Defender of Georgia will observe the events taking place on the 17th of May throughout the country. In case of necessity, the population will be able to contact the Public Defender's hotline – 14 81 for 24 hours'', is noted in the statement.  In full… Source: www.ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. LGBTQI activists and their supporters held a rally at the Chancellery, in Tbilisi, against violence. Main demand of gathered citizens was equality. Participants of the rally were brought at the Chancellery with mini-buses, escorted by the police, in order to protect them from citizens with a homophobic attitude. Read more… Source: The website of the organization in a social network

Tbilisi. Coalition for Equality expresses its solidarity to a meeting dedicated to the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO). Organizations call on the State to ensure realization of freedom of assembly and expression by LGBTQI community members, activists and their supporters, as well as protection of their safety, inviolability and dignity. Read more… Source: women.ge

Tbilisi. On May 15, 2017, the Public Defender of Georgia presented recommendations of the Council of Religions of the Public Defender. The presentation was attended by representatives of the state agencies, local and international organizations and religious associations of Georgia. ''The document reflects the challenges facing the religious minorities of Georgia and offers ways of solving the challenges, including the need for amending some norms in the legislation that would make it possible to effectively investigate crimes committed on religious grounds; elimination of unequal or discriminatory treatment; improper practice of issuing permits for construction of religious buildings for religious minorities; problems related to historical buildings; promotion of freedom of religion and tolerance environment at public schools, etc'', is noted in the statement. In full… Source: www.ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia has been convicted to pay GEL 12 500 as a compensation of moral damage in favor of participants of the May 17, 2013 rally, dedicated to the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. The Georgian Young Lawyers' Association (GYLA) hopes that ''after realizing such experience, the state will no longer allow past mistakes to take place and will effectively manage to secure the right to assembly in the country''. Read more… Source: gyla.ge

Tbilisi. Georgian civil society organizations united in the Coalition for Equality released an appeal to the Venice Commission regarding the proposed amendments to Article 30 of the Constitution of Georgia, which provides a new legal definition of marriage. According to the draft amendments developed by the State Constitutional Commission, Article 36 of the Constitution, under which marriage shall be based upon equality of rights and free will of spouses, will include the following wording: ''A marriage as the union of a man and a woman for the purpose of starting a family, based upon equality of rights and free will of spouses'' (Article 30. The Right to Marriage). ''The Coalition for Equality considers this wording unjustified and sends its own analysis and arguments to the Venice Commission. The appeal undersigned by eight member organizations notes that the Coalition for Equality welcomes some positive changes envisaged by the package of amendments, but simultaneously expresses concern over the restrictive wording that aggravates the rights of separate groups and limits the content and scope of certain rights'', is noted in the statement. In full… Source: www.osgf.ge

Tbilisi. ''Young Barristers'' responds to the fact of death of workers employed in the Mindeli shaft in Tkibuli and speaks about the equal role of both the state and employer company in terms of responsibility. The organization calls on the authorities to hasten the reform of the established labor inspection and provide the inspector with a real, effective authority. Read more... Source: emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) publishes a blogpost: "Working conditions of those employed in mines and shafts”. ''In order to observe health, safety and working environment of those employed in mining and processing enterprises, EMC has studied: the condition of infrastructure and machinery, as well as the issue of furnishing with respective special clothes and equipment and the ability of receiving primary and urgent medical care at the employment sites'' – is stated on the website of the organization. Read more... Source:emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. According to the reports released on May 9, 2017, an elevator collapsed and fell down from 400m height in the Tkibuli Mindeli mine of Saknakhshiri GIG Group, resulting in the death of four miners in the elevator. ''The number of casualties in the workplace increases every year. 58 were killed and 85 were injured in 2016. The absence of effective mechanism of labour inspection contributes to the deterioration of the situation in the country. The Public Defender considers that those who have objected labour inspection for years are responsible for every single case of death and damage in the workplace'', is noted in a statement. In full… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. On July 3, 2011, the Georgian Young Lawyers' Association (GYLA) and the European Human Rights Advocacy Centre (EHRAC), on behalf of participants of the protest rally, submitted a joint complaint to the European Court of Human Rights. On May 4, 2017, the European Court concluded a judgment in this case. The government offered the applicants to complete the case by a friendly settlement and committed to pay a compensation. Read more... Source: gyla.ge

Tbilisi. Taking into consideration the increased public interest, the Public Defender of Georgia once again echoes the so-called cyanide case and notes that full closure of the trial does not serve the aim of enhancing the public confidence in the investigative and judicial authorities. ''Given that the investigation of the criminal case has been completed, but the defense is still not allowed to disclose case materials, the publicity of the trial is the only way to increase public confidence in justice. The Public Defender of Georgia hopes that the court will use a much tougher test in the limitation of the public nature of the trial and it will be possible to carry out public control over the mentioned case'', is noted in the statement. In full… Source: www.ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. ''Partnership for Human Rights'' (PHR) will provide free legal assistance to women, victims of violence. ''Consultations will touch upon issues related to any kind of violence, including physical, psychological, sexual, economic assault and compulsion. If you have been harassed or consider that a woman nearby you, including a woman with disability, is a victim of violence or gender based discrimination - please contact us!'' – is noted in the statement of the organization. Read more… Source: phrgeorgia.wordpress.com

Tbilisi. On 23-27 April Women's Fund in Georgia organized a Training of Trainers in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights within the frames of the one year program New Perspectives on Generating Knowledge and Resources of Women Rights Groups on SRHR supported by Foundation Open Society Institute (FOSI). Training aimed to raise participants’ awareness regarding interconnection of sexual and reproductive health and rights with the issues of strengthening women. In full… Source: The Organization’s web-page in a social page

Tbilisi. On the basis of a court decision, the Office of the Chief Prosecutor of Georgia was charged to compensate both material and moral damages in favor of V.Sh.. ''GYLA defended the person in a criminal case, in which he was found not guilty. With the support of GYLA he appealed to the court and demanded compensation for material and moral damages, caused by the harm inflicted on him during the criminal case'' – is stated on the website of the organization. Read more... Source:gyla.ge

Kvemo kartli. On May 3-4, 2017, Public Defender Ucha Nanuashvili visited the Dmanisi and Gardabani municipalities of the Kvemo Kartli village, where he met with representatives of the local self-governments and the acting Governor of the region. ''One of the most important issues in the Dmanisi municipality is providing adequate housing for homeless people. The Public Defender visited vulnerable families, including children, living in poor conditions at the former hospital of Dmanisi. Although the local authorities use all the available resources to help the families, it is necessary the central authorities to allocate an appropriate building for social housing, which would be a long-term solution to the problem'', is noted in the statement. In full… Source: www.ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. The purpose of a study, conducted by EMC in 2016, was to interview individuals, engaged in controversial movements among those employed at both under and above ground freight and passenger transportation throughout the country. ''Working conditions at a duty station are dangerous for health and safety of those employed at the sector of railway transport, which fact is not properly addressed by employers. Employees consider that taking care of improvement of a working environment is performed with single and unsustainable methods. In order to maximize profit, they make saving on security measures in companies'' – is stated on the website of the Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center. Reade more... Source:emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. On May 4, the Parliament of Georgia ratified the Council of Europe Convention on ''Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence'' through the third reading. The package of all 24 legislative amendments was adopted by the Parliament unanimously. Read more… Source:ginsc.net

Tbilisi. On April 24, 2017, the Public Defender of Georgia addressed the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia and the LEPL Revenue Service of the Ministry of Finance with a recommendation concerning discrimination on the ground of religion. The applicants’ interests were represented at the Public Defender’s Office by the Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) and the Tolerance and Diversity Institute (non-commercial legal entity). ''It is indicated in the recommendation that the visa-passport control bodies – the Patrol Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Customs Department of the Revenue Service create obstacles for Muslims during crossing the Sarpi customs checkpoint. In particular, Muslims are stopped and asked questions about their appearance, religion and lifestyle. At the same time, all the conditions are created for them to voluntarily give up their own religious literature. Accordingly, the Public Defender concluded that the applicants' freedom of religion was violated through restricting their freedom of movement and property rights'', is noted in the statement. In full… Source: www.ombudsman.ge