Tbilisi. The Tbilisi office of the Heinrich Boell Foundation publishes an analytical article of Guram Imnadze in regard to the judicial system. “In the multi-year process of reforms, the court has rarely been perceived as a source of justice, a determiner of the content of justice and a guarantor of trust in the law. As a rule, the political dimension of court and the fact that we deal with an independent branch of government are neglected. Instead, the court is perceived as a body of technical administration of justice, while a judge is presented not as an interpreter of the law, but as a literal reading of it”. Read more… Source: ge.boell.org

Tbilisi. Social Justice Center introduces a document, which represents a methodological framework for examining all the structural factors that prevent people from accessing justice institutions. Read more… Source: socialjustice.org.ge

Tbilisi. TDI releases the report: The Legal Status of Migrants in Georgia - Amid and beyond the Covid pandemic. See full report in English… The report covers the period of January 2020 - May 2021. Main topics of the report: Migrants’ Rights and Challenges amid the Covid-19 Pandemic; Issues, legislation, and practice of obtaining a residence permit; State policy towards asylum seekers in Georgia; Problems of the State Security Service’s Competence to Investigate Crimes of Racial Discrimination; Statistics on the refusal of a state residence permit; Statistics on crimes committed with racial intolerance;  Read more… Source: tdi.ge

Tbilisi. Are you a foreigner and need legal assistance in expulsion and non-refoulement procedures? Download brochure and get to know the available legal services… Source: The organization’s page in the social network

Tbilisi. According to a statement, made by the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association, at the Supreme Court, judges have been appointed as a result of a deal between the clan and the Government. “Regardless questions related to competence and conscientiousness of candidates, the Legal Affairs Committee recommended to hire some of the participants of the competition. On its part, the plenary session acknowledged recommendations completely and appointed 6 judges to the position. It should also be noted that among candidates, appointed to the position, were individuals loyal to the influential group of judges – the clan and their leaders. The decision was not based on a broad consensus among parties, which fact is going to have a negative impact on confidence in court in the future”, - is noted in the statement. Read more… Source: gyla.ge

Tbilisi. With USAID/PROLoG support a survey on implementation of the new Law Benchmark document in the accreditation process of academic programs was solicited. „The survey identified challenges in different directions, including uniform application of the Law Benchmark document and composition of the accreditation board“. Survey…                                                            Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. According to information released by International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED), a version of overdose death of Lashkarava was posted on the Facebook page of “Marshalpress” about an hour earlier than the Ministry drew our attention to this information at its first briefing. “There was mentioned Ioseb Khimshiashvili, some politician, in the material as a source of it. Soon the online edition disseminated the news via open groups in an organized manner. Otar Stepanishvili, the founder of “Marshalpress”, was among those who shared the post”.                                                              Source: The website of the organization on a social network

Tbilisi. Rights Georgia publishes a blog post of Nana Mchedlidze, an expert in international law and a board member of the organization: Hate speech and dangers it poses. The blog post contains a review of “hate speech, its forms of expression, who the hate speech is directed against, and best practices of combating it in conformity with European standards of human rights, as well as dangers that might be posed by lack of response to hate speech”. Read more… Source: rights.ge

Tbilisi. Public Defender releases a statement on Investigation of Actions of Organizers of July 5-6 events. “As of July 12, 2021, no criminal proceedings have been launched against any person by the Ministry of Internal Affairs or the Prosecutor General's Office of Georgia for organizing violent, hate crimes that took place on July 5 and 6 in Tbilisi. We call on the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Prosecutor's Office to identify the main persons responsible for the actions of the alleged violent groups as soon as possible, as a matter of priority, and to launch criminal proceedings against them, as well as to proactively inform the public about the progress of the investigation. The Public Defender also calls on the Ministry of Internal Affairs to conduct an effective investigation into the death of TV Pirveli cameraman Alexandre Lashkarava, who was one of the victims of the July 5-6 violent attacks, and to establish a causal link between his bodily injuries and the fatal result”. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

The U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi extends our deepest condolences to the family of Lekso Lashkarava, particularly to Lekso’s mother, and to his colleagues at TV Pirveli and all those who are shocked and saddened by his death. "Lekso worked behind the camera so despite his years of service as a media professional, many might not have recognized him before he was viciously attacked by people who demonstrated a complete lack of respect for human life. His bravery as he defended his colleague and his commitment to the fundamental freedoms long cherished in this country represent the best qualities and traditions of the people of Georgia. The arrest of several individuals in connection with the attack on Lekso is a positive first step toward justice. The safety of every Georgian journalist and the credibility of democracy in Georgia require that every individual who attacked peaceful citizens and journalists on July 5 and 6, or who incited violence, must be identified, arrested, and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. We call for calm and an end to the violence that has already caused one tragic loss of life". see more... source:

Comments by EU Ambassador Hartzell upon news of the death of Mr. Lekso Lashkarava: "It is with sorrow I learned today about the tragic death of Pirveli TV cameraman Lekso Lashkarava. My deepest condolences go out to his family, friends and colleagues. Mr. Lekso Lashkarava was severely beaten as he was covering the violence that took place in Tbilisi around the Pride events on 5 July. While still awaiting the results of the investigation into the cause of his death, let me reiterate the EU’s strong condemnation of all violence and our staunch and unwavering support to the freedom of media and assembly". see more... source: European Union in Georgia

Tbilisi. NGOs statement: “We, the undersigned organizations, express our utmost concern and sorrow over the passing of Lekso Lashkarava, the operator of „TV Pirveli”. We would like to offer our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. …  Following the large-scale violence of July 5, which resulted in dozens of injuries to journalists and civilians and the death of the operator of “TV Pirveli” after sustaining serious injuries, all organizers, participants and perpetrators of violence, regardless of their secular or religious status should be brought to justice. The political responsibility for the severe consequences lies with the government, which has in fact refused to perform its function to protect human health and life.  Therefore, the undersigned organizations request at least: Immediate resignation of the Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Gharibashvili and the Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia Vakhtang Gomelauri”.  See more source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. EPRC extends its condolences to the family and colleagues of Lekso Lashkarava, a cameraman of the channel TV Pirveli. “We call on the relevant agencies to respond immediately to this tragic fact. We demand that the investigation and expertise be conducted in a transparent and efficient manner and that all organizers, participants, and facilitators of the crime be punished”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. Rights Georgia has launched a new project on refoulement issues. Within the framework of the project Rights Georgia will provide migrants with respective legal consultations on refoulement and non-refoulement proceedings. Furthermore, three researches will be conducted, which aim to identify practical and legislative challenges in the field of migration and therefore, the respective solutions will be suggested. Read more… Source: rights.ge

Tbilisi. The Human Rights Center has completed a project - “Free legal advocacy and human rights monitoring after the coronavirus pandemic”. According to information released by the organization, the Center:  “Provided 2010 free legal consultations; Processed 130 cases, 60 of which were successfully completed”.  Read more… Source: The website of the organization on a social network

Tbilisi. Social Justice Center considers support of “Guardians of Rioni Valley” for the violent rally unacceptable. “For us, the Save Rioni Valley Movement was a unique attempt of democratic self-organization of our citizens in recent years, which used to give proper naming to the logic and order of unequal and inhuman economic and political development of the country since independence. However, recent decisions of leaders of the movement, unfortunately, do not leave us the opportunity to remain again allies of the Save Rioni Valley Movement in the fight against the unfair, non-transparent and undemocratic energy policy”. Read more… Source: socialjustice.org

Tbilisi. The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) has been engaged in the case of 11 journalists affected on July 5, 2021. An investigation into facts of violence committed against media representatives and obstruction of their journalistic activities has already been launched. At this stage the status of victim is granted to 2 journalists. The organization will continue to work on cases of affected journalists and provide public with up-to-date information on the progress of the investigation periodically. Read more… Source: gyla.ge

Tbilisi. SOS Children’s Villages Georgia releases an official statement in response to information broadcasted through mass media about two alleged cases of violence that took place in the service of a small family house of the organization in the past. “We, at the organization, are deeply concerned about the fact that living in a small family house turned to be traumatic for our two former beneficiaries and it is very difficult for us to hear their stories. The Association expresses its maximum readiness and openness to facilitate any kind of investigation process within the framework of law; moreover, provide psycho-emotional and legal assistance to both the alleged victim of violence and former foster children through the established practice of the organization. All revealed facts, regardless of the age of the case, always create a precondition for reviewing current systems of monitoring, existing within the organization, in order to ensure upbringing and development of each foster child in a safe and secure environment”, - is noted in the statement. Read more… Source: The website of the organization on a social network

Tbilisi. According to the statement of the Coalition for Independent and Transparent Judiciary the Selection of Candidates for the Supreme Court Judges is Arbitrary and Unfair. “For many years, the High Council of Justice, as well as the self-governing body of the common courts, has been operating in the face of such public sentiment and criticism. As a result, fairness, impartiality, and independence of their decisions are constantly questioned. In this context, it is not surprising that despite several waves of reform and constant legislative/institutional change, the judiciary has failed to be perceived by the public as a truly independent and just institution. The process of selecting judges of the Supreme Court was also conducted in this environment. The observation of the process has once again revealed that without fundamental changes in the High Council of Justice and the judiciary as a whole, all important processes (especially the appointment of judges) go through the same circles of mistrust, cronyism, and clan-based power. Consequently, without initiating radical changes in the justice system, any further process will fail to provide an escape from this circle”, is noted in the statement. Read more… Source: www.coalition.ge

Tbilisi. The whistleblowers protection day is being celebrated on June 23th. “The whistleblowers' institute is of key importance in the fight against corruption, especially the high-level corruption.  Unfortunately the level of awareness about the mechanism of whistleblowing in Georgia is very low and its use is virtually non-existent. Read more about the identified challenges and recommendations issued by IDFI on the issue" … Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. Civil society organizations call on the Government of Georgia to enhance its political and diplomatic efforts so as to set Zaza Gakheladze, detained in Tskhinvali, free and develop a more effective policy for the protection of human rights within occupied territories. “Unfortunately, human rights policy in conflict regions is not properly institutionalized and prescribed in our country. Besides, despite a long-standing experience in conflicts, we still do not have international mechanisms enacted in conflict regions that would serve as an effective tool for monitoring a human rights-related situation, as well as for response and prevention. The resource of communication and negotiation with de facto governments is not properly envisaged in the policy for the protection of human rights, whereas it would be a format for regular dialogue and work on issues related to human rights, security, and humanitarian assistance”, - is noted in the joint statement. Read more… Source: gyla.ge

Tbilisi. The Human Rights Center made a presentation of a report – “Coronavirus Pandemic - Free Legal Assistance and Human Rights Monitoring”, prepared within the framework of a project “Free Legal Advocacy and Human Rights Monitoring after the COVID-19 Pandemic”. The Human Rights Center implemented the project in Tbilisi and five regions of Georgia (Shida Kartli, Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli, Imereti and Samegrelo) with the support of the Embassy of the Netherlands in Georgia. Read more… Source: The website of the organization on a social network