Gori. Representatives of the Gori office of the CSI, together with the head of the youth department of Gori City Hall, visited the youth space in the village of Kordi and presented materials prepared within the framework of the “This Country is Yours” campaign. The Civil Society Institute (CSI) actively works to develop capacity of young people in the region and is ready to contribute to the process of building a youth ecosystem using available resources. The need of youth spaces in regions was identified while working on a youth strategy document and Gori Municipality, together with the Youth Agency, facilitated establishment of a model space in the village of Kordi. At this stage, young people work on painting the center and, with the help of various organizations, equipping it. The Kordi youth space will soon be officially opened and young people, living in the conflict zone, will have the opportunity to enjoy the place that can be used for acquiring non-formal education as well as for a variety of activities.

Tbilisi. The Public Defender of Georgia has learned that a former beneficiary of the Ninotsminda Orphanage has allegedly been forced to leave the dormitory of the St. Tbel Abuseridze Teaching University of the Georgian Patriarchate after the letter informed the law enforcement agency about alleged violence that occurred in the orphanage. The Public Defender has already started examining the alleged discrimination against the former beneficiary of the orphanage. In addition, she appealed to the law enforcement agency to respond to the allegations of coercion, pressure and psychological violence. As result of communication between the Public Defender and relevant agencies, the young beneficiary has been temporarily placed in a safe environment, as the person had no other place to live in. The Public Defender will monitor the provision of long-term housing to the person. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. In June 2021, within the framework of the International Child Protection and Environment Weeks, representatives of the Eastern and Western Georgia Divisions of the Public Defender's Office held webinars and meetings in Georgian, Azerbaijani and Armenian languages with public school students, teachers, parents, representatives of preschools and community centers in various regions of the country. They also participated in TV/radio programmes. The events covered Imereti, Samegrelo, Guria, Adjara, Svaneti, Shida Kartli, Kakheti, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Kvemo Kartli and Samtskhe-Javakheti regions. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. Based on the appeal of the Public Defender of Georgia, LEPL Agency for Regulation of Medical and Pharmaceutical Activities studied the arbitrary treatment of infants with the so-called "Mowgli method" and established illegal medical activity. The examination found that this method is an intervention that poses a risk to the life and health of children, which, especially at an early age, can lead to severe and irreversible complications. Administrative liability has been imposed on the person using this method. Read more... Source: ombudsman.ge

Samtskhe-Javakheti. The Public Defender is responding to the ruling of the Tbilisi City Court on the lawsuit filed by the Partnership for Human Rights, CSO, relating to the removal of minors from the Ninotsminda orphanage.  The Public Defender considers the immediate enforcement of the court ruling necessary. “The ruling, once again, clearly indicates the real risk and danger that exist in the institution in terms of the protection of children’s rights and requires timely and coordinated action by the state agencies. The Public Defender notes that the situation in the orphanage is not in line with the interests of minors or the relevant standards; the situation is dangerous in terms of the protection of children from violence, their full development, socialization and preparation for an independent life”. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. Member organizations of the “Coalition for Equality” consider that current developments, related to the Ninotsminda boarding school, are alarming and require immediate, strong response from the state. “So far, none of the agencies of the state has expressed its clear position in regard to continuing cases of alleged violence committed against minors and breach of the rights of the child taking place at the boarding school. Besides, the state has not established a democratic work process that would allow the Public Defender to perform monitoring of the situation related to the rights of the child at the boarding school. Moreover, representatives of the Government fail to make any statement regarding deinstitutionalization of large boarding houses and necessary reforms till now, which are important preconditions for protection of both dignified, as well as proper living environment and rights of children residing in these institutions”. Read more… Source: www.equalitycoalition.ge

Tbilisi. Due to high public interest, the office of the Public Defender of Georgia releases a statement in regard to the current situation at the Ninotsminda Children’s Boarding School. “The office of the Ombudsman applied to the General Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia requesting information about alleged criminal facts that took place at the Boarding School. According to information received, an investigation into four criminal cases on facts of alleged violence against minors has been launched in 2016-2021. There is currently an investigation ongoing into 3 cases of alleged violence (Article 126 of the Criminal Code) and one case of alleged rape (Article 137 of the Criminal Code). So far, the office of the Ombudsman does not have detailed information about facts of alleged violence, people and circumstances involved, as well as measures taken and ongoing. The office of the Public Defender has already applied to responsible agencies to clarify the issue”. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association releases the statement related to the International Children’s Day. June 1st is International Child Protection Day. This date reminds us once again of the need for the state to take measures that are in the child's best interests and serve to protect the children's right to life, health, education, development, and dignified life. The existence of complex and effective mechanisms to ensure the protection of their rights to a high standard is important for protecting children's rights. Read more… Source: gyla.ge

Tbilisi. Nino Lomjaria, the Public Defender of Georgia, releases a statement in response to June 1, the International Day for Protection of the Rights of the Child. “On this important day, I would like to assure all children living in Georgia that the Public Defender will always be by their side and protect their rights. Today, when many children live in poverty and experience violence, health, education and development related needs are neglected as never before, it is important to make sure that celebration of this day goes beyond the symbolic burden, while the state takes effective steps to protect their rights. In Georgia, we have been facing the most serious cases of violation of the rights of the child over the years, which fact is mostly related to inefficiency of support services, delayed response of the state, and shortcomings in social and child care programs. Public attitude towards facts of violation of the rights of the child is still uneven, and children are often exposed to violence. So far, responsible agencies do not provide prompt identification of facts of violation of the rights of the child, proper response and support to minors in accordance with their needs”. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. On May 29, in the scope of the "Youth for Regional Development" project, schoolchildren of Zarzma Children’s Academy attended the lecture on "History of the Western Road of Georgia". The discussion was conducted by Irakli Chkhaidze, Assistant Professor at Tbilisi State University. The aim of the project is to enhance civic consciousness and increase civic activism among schoolchildren from Adigeni and Akhaltsikhe municipalities. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Samtskhe-Javakheti. CENN, with the Support of the EU and in partnership with Ninotsminda Youth Center, launched an Innovative Knowledge Hub in Ninotsminda Municipality. „The goal of the Innovative Knowledge Hub is to empower young people at the local level and promote their social and green entrepreneurship development. The Innovative Knowledge Hub is a youth workspace that will be accessible to young people living in Ninotsminda Municipality. The Hub will periodically host environmental and youth campaigns, and beneficiaries will also have the opportunity to meet with representatives from various fields and hold public discussions“. Read more… Source: The organization’s page in the social network

Tbilisi. According to the statement made by the UN Children's Fund, monitoring of remaining large size institutions for children should be carried out by relevant agencies of the country in order to make sure rights of children are fully protected. “In regard to remaining large size institutions for children, there should be developed and strengthened alternative services within the framework of the common strategy for deinstitutionalization. These services should clearly outline relevant goals and objectives, which in turn would facilitate gradual replacement of mentioned institutions with family and community based services. At the same time, all relevant state institutions should be able to conduct monitoring at all sites where children are in order to make sure their rights are protected”, - is noted in the statement of the organization. Read more… Source: www.unicef.org

Samtskhe-Javakheti. According to information released by the office of the Public Defender, representatives of the Ombudsman revisited the Ninotsminda boarding school for children, however, they again were not allowed to carry out the monitoring regardless of temporary measures issued by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. Representatives of the institution did not express willingness to be interviewed and stated an instruction of its head as the reason for it. “Representatives of the Ombudsman also visited a Ninotsminda public school #4. It is noteworthy that no child from the boarding school went to the public school, which fact indicates that the institution was informed by state agencies about the possible visit of the Public Defender. An interview with the principal of the school revealed once again that children attend the school accompanied by supervisors. Furthermore, supervisors remain in the school building during lessons and wait for children there. Regarding this practice, the administration of the school was given a recommendation on the spot as it violates the best interests of the child. The Public Defender of Georgia once again calls on all relevant state agencies to immediately apply temporary measures issued by the Committee on the Rights of the Child and ensure that an independent monitoring body performs its authority at the boarding school”, - is stated on the website of the Ombudsman. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. The state is obliged to ensure inspection of a child rights related situation in a Ninotsminda boarding school immediately - the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. “Today, on May 7, by 8 pm, a non-governmental organization “Partnership for Human Rights” received a message from the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. The Committee issued an interim measure, thus satisfying a May 5 appeal of the organization, and instructed the Government to ensure that a monitoring is carried out at the Ninotsminda boarding school by all relevant agencies”.  Read more… Source: phr.ge

Tbilisi. Partnership for Human Rights (PHR) calls for protection of rights of children at the Ninotsminda boarding school through court. “Instruct the Ministry of Health and the Ninotsminda shelter for children to not restrict the Public Defender from entering there and carrying out thorough monitoring; The Ministry of Health to visit the shelter immediately and study the situation existing there”. With these demands, the organization, as a holder of a special plaintiff status, has already appealed to the Tbilisi City Court in order to protect rights of children living in large institutions. Read more… Source: phr.ge

Tbilisi. ”Social Justice Center”, “Rights Georgia” and “Women’s Initiatives Support Group” respond to the fact of obstruction of activities of trustees of the Public Defender of Georgia by the administration of a Javakheti Ninotsminda Saint Nino boarding school, N(N)LE of the Patriarchate of the Georgian Orthodox Church for orphan and homeless children, as well as those deprived of parental care. “We, the signatory organizations, call on the state to take all measures for unwavering protection of rights of children in religious boarding schools and bringing these institutions under real and effective monitoring of the state”. Read more… Source: rights.ge

Kakheti. In Tsnori, a USAID-supported knowledge café needed fundraising to build a new building. ”Traditional methods did not appear sufficient. In March, in order to raise funds, USAID supported the café in launching Bootcamp - a new experiment for Georgian students. What was the challenge? Young people had 10 days to gain GEL 200 or 300 from GEL 100. 29 teams, participating in the first round, managed to raise money through both selling goods and donations. 20 teams succeeded to move to the second round, with the help of coaching, provided by a startup entrepreneur, they handled to double or triple GEL 200. In the end, these young entrepreneurs collected GEL 35 387 for the knowledge café and, at the same time, improved their business skills”. Read more... Source: The website of the organization on a social network

Tbilisi. On June 18, 2020, police officers stopped a child in Tbilisi and demanded to present an identity document, which the juvenile did not have. Police officers decided to take a photo of him, while the juvenile refused it and, therefore, policemen decided to detain the juvenile, however, people did not allow them to do so. During the attempt of detention the child received bodily injuries. On October 29, 2020, PHR applied to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and demanded a copy of an administrative case file related to the juvenile, but the Ministry delayed the process. In order to protect interests of the child, #PHR applied to the State Inspector’s Service. The State Inspector reviewed the case and concluded that materials were handed within an unreasonable timeframe. According to the conclusion, the Ministry of Internal Affairs performed its duties improperly. In particular, it provided the applicant with the documentation in an unreasonable timeframe, improper manner and incompletely. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia was declared an offender and fined GEL100 as an administrative penalty. Partnership for Human Rights continues to defend interests of the child. Read more… Source: phr.ge

Tbilisi. On March 19, 2021, Public Defender of Georgia Nino Lomjaria participated in the 5th Conference on the World Down Syndrome Day. This year's message for World Down Syndrome Day is "Connect", which responds to the pandemic situation in the world. “The online conference was dedicated to the importance of promoting the development of children with Down syndrome aged between 7 and 18 years. In Georgia, this age group still does not have adequate support in the form of public services. Current programmes are scarce, outdated and unable to meet modern challenges and individual development needs of such children”. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. HumanDoc Foundation, in collaboration with partner organizations: “Kartlosi” – Bridge of Friendship, Association “Merkuri” and Cultural-Humanitarian Fund “Sukhumi”, has released a publication: “Guide for teachers on violence against children”. An electronic version of the publication is available here... Read more… Source: The website of the organization in a social network

Georgian Women’s Movement launches a lengthy campaign on the case of a 14-year-old dead girl #NinisGamo (DueToNini) Read more…

Tbilisi. Civil society organizations express their concern regarding a hardest case of suicide of a 14-year-old girl in Kobuleti Municipality and call on state agencies to investigate the incident in a timely manner. “Within the framework of the investigation, there should be examined responsibilities of all possible bodies/officials that had an obligation to support the victim as well as to carry out an investigation in the crime committed against her.  This case demonstrates hardest social practices of violence against women as well as signs of criminal indifference and inefficiency of police and social institutions. Despite numerous tragic cases of juvenile suicide, the state has not shown its willingness to make radical changes in existing policies, it pays insufficient attention to development and implementation of a suicide prevention strategy in general. The system remains extremely indifferent in terms of elaboration of an adolescent care policy as well as social and psychological support mechanisms”, - is noted in the joint statement. Read more… Source: gyla.ge