Tbilisi. SIQA has organized a conference on November 18 on the impact of small grants programs on the growth of entrepreneurial competences among the youth. At the event the organization has presented the study carried out in May-June 2013, aimed at determining the degree of change of key competences, in particular the competences of initiatives and entrepreneurship among the youth (over 18 years of age) after the participation in the governing group of the small grants projects. The study

Tbilisi. The Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center has published VakhushtiMenabde's blog post "Monopolization of Kindness?" " ... this post concerns dissatisfaction expressed by the Patriarchate in connection with the organization of shelter for the homeless by Identity." Blog-post "Monopolization of Kindness?" Source:emcrights.wordpress.com

Adjara. What does non-governmental sector mean, what is its role in the country's development, and how does it assist the society in general – Davit Zurabishvili has discussed these issues with newspaper "Batumelebi". He has worked in the non-governmental sector for years. For the full text Source: netgazeti.ge

Tbilisi. "Young Barristers" propose the initiative on legislative amendments to the institute of pardoning. The organization has presented the analysis of "legal aspects of pardoning by the President" and the package of recommendations. For the full text Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Tbilisi. The Center of United Public Initiatives has released the statement, by which the organization addresses the Chairman of the Parliament and Ministers Giorgi Kvirikashvili and GuramOdisharia. The appeal discusses the new draft law, which aims to amend the Law of Georgia on "Cultural Heritage". "Although we have thoroughly studied all materials related to the draft law, the real essence and purpose of adopting it is still unclear and vague. The explanatory note is silent on the objectives of initiator following the amendments, and further, we would like to negatively assess the fact that in respect of these amendments the initiator has not included any state or non-governmental organization, any expert or international organization, and no consultations have been held. "Please make sure that the real motivation of the Government of Georgia is known to the public without delay, and what is the objective of the new legislative amendments," says the statement. Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Tbilisi. Georgian Young Lawyers' Association released a statement on the initiated draft "aiming to impose certain obligations on lawyers”. "Amendments to the ”Law of Georgia Promoting Prevention of Legalization of Illegal Incomes” and to the Law of Georgia on Attorneys were initiated in the Parliament of Georgia. The draft aims to bring Georgian legislation in line with recommendations of the "Financial Actions Task Force” (FATF).  To our regret, the process of draft preparation was not transparent enough. It was implemented without lawyers’ participation, consideration of their arguments and detailed examination of the document.  This week, the Parliament of Georgia plans to adopt the draft in the second reading. GYLA opines that Parliamentary discussions should be prolonged and adoption of the law at the second reading be postponed", says the statement. For full text Source:gyla.ge

Tbilisi. Transparency International Georgia released a blog post - "The new Board of the Ajarian Public Broadcaster – did nepotism trump merits?”. "In a controversial move, the Supreme Council of Ajara last week finalized the appointment of members of the Ajarian Public Broadcaster’s Board of trustees. All five members were appointed by members of the Georgian Dream factions – in violation of the spirit of the law, which through a quota regime sought to give the opposition the opportunity to appoint two members for the newly established Ajarian Public Broadcaster", says the organization's web-page. For full text Source:transparency.ge

Imereti. The public discussion – "Novelties in Labor Law" – was held in the Kutaisi AkakiTsereteli State University. The meeting was organized as part of the project of the Foundation for the Support of Legal Education of the Georgian Young Lawyers' Association "Master's Program Scholarship of the Western Georgia". Organizers of the meeting have informed the CSO representatives, journalists, experts and students about amendments made to the Labor Code.

Tbilisi. Transparency International Georgia released a blog post - "Should thegovernment continue building the Tbilisi Bypass Project?”. "Ultimately, millions of tonnes of oil and other hydrocarbons are transported past Tbilisi residents’ homes and schools on a daily basis, TI Georgia believes that to guarantee their safety a solution should be found to finish this Bypass", says the blog post. For full text Source:transparency.ge

Tbilisi. The Georgian Young Constitutionalists' Association echoes the erection of the "heart flag" instead of the state flag of Georgia on the residence of the President of Georgia on November 9-10 and appeal to the Prosecutor's Office.The Association's statement says that "this decision has infringed upon the state symbols of Georgia. In particular, the Organic Law of Georgia on the "State Flag of Georgia" was violated. ... We hope that relevant competent authorities will timely investigate this fact in details and each person who had made this decision will be fully responsible before the law." Young Constitutionalists appeal to the General Prosecutor's Office in writing. Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Tbilisi. The "Institute for the Development of Freedom of Information" (IDFI) has organized a meeting on November 8 between the CSOs and representatives of the Ministry of Justice. Topic of the meeting focused on the development of a new law on the freedom of information as part of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) and establishment of a supervisory authority. Further, the parties have discussed the activities carried out in this respect, future plans, as well as the annual summit ofOGP held in London. For the full text source: media.ge

Tbilisi. The Coalition for an Independent and Transparent Judiciary released a statement regarding Specialization of Supreme Court Judges. "As the practice of considering cases at the Supreme Court shows, instances of judges from one chamber exercising their powers in another chamber are frequent.  We believe that such practice does not follow from the Georgian legislation; nor it complies with international standard”, says the statement. For full text  Source: gyla.ge

Tbilisi. Transparency International Georgia released a blog post -  "Georgia’s Program Budget Should be Voted into Law”. "In 2011 the government committed to a results-orientated system of budgeting for government agencies by 2014. We believe that it is impossible to hold government agencies accountable for failing to achieve the results specified in their budgets without such a results-orientated system of budgeting -- which is why the program budget should be voted into law along with the rest of the country’s budget", says the statement. For full text Source:transparency.ge

Tbilisi. The National Center for Democratic Development has disseminated the statement – "Mortgage-related regulations will damage citizens". The statement concerns legislative amendments initiated by the Ministry of Justice of Georgia. "Our objective is to remind the Government of Georgia and the Parliament of obligation before the country and urge them to refrain from introducing this legislative amendment, closely cooperate with CSOs throughout the law-making process, carry out relevant study, have adequate legal reaction to the citizens' demands, and most importantly, consult on these issues with the qualified staff of the National Agency of Public Registry, whose role is immense in the country's progress and simplification of procedures related to the real property management," says the statement. For the full text (geo) Source: ncdd.ge

Tbilisi. On November 7, Civil Society and Religious Organizations released the joint statement. "The below signatory organizations express our negative attitude once again in terms of the draft initiated in the Parliament qualifying public expression of hatred towards sacred objects, religious organizations, clergymen or worshippers by an individual, aimed at hurting religious sentiments as administrative offence and envisaging subsequent administrative liability. ...We believe that Parliament should refrain from adopting the law since it falls short of Constitutional   and international human rights standards", says the statement. For full text Source:gyla.ge

Tbilisi. The "Georgian Young Constitutionalists' Association" has released a statement on November 7. The organization "condemns each fact of human rights violations, thus recollecting numerous illegal actions on 7 November 2007. Notably, fundamental human rights secured under the Constitution have been infringed upon. The then authorities have used against peaceful demonstrators disproportionate force, numerous facts of infringement upon human dignity have been reported, and independent TV companies were ravaged and journalistic activities were obstructed. At the same time, the described facts have not been fully investigated until now, which raises our utmost concern", says the statement. For the fuul text (geo)

Tbilisi. CSO "Young Barristers" has echoed the changes within the Chief Prosecutor's Office of Georgia. The organization "hopes that the new Chief Prosecutor appointed by the new Prime Minister of Georgia will continue reforming the system, while on the other hand, will facilitate the restoration of justice in the country by effective decisions." For the full text (geo) Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Tbilisi. The third consecutive training-module was organized on November 5-6 as part of the Civil Society Institute Program "Result-Oriented Project Management", which concerned the drafting of project indicators. The participants could get familiar with the new tools and methodology of the result-oriented management. The module aimed at informing the participants about the project indicator table, logical framework and the results chain tools. Two training-modules on systemic changes and participation, as well as project planning were already delivered to five pilot organizations selected as part of the program. The program is implemented by the Civil Society Institute under the guidance of invited international expert. Financial support is provided by Bread for the World, as part of the project "Improving the Environment and Enhancing the Efficiency of CSOs."

Tbilisi. Media Advocacy Coalition  released a statement on Election the Members of the Board of Trustees of Ajara TV and Radio. "Media Advocacy Coalition objects to  the November 5, 2013 decision of Ajara High Council which completely ignored "the Law on Broadcasting” and violated quota system envisaged by the law for election of members of the Board of  Trustees of Ajara TV and radio. Members of the "Georgian Dream”  disallowed minority members to nominate their candidates for the membership to the Board of Trustees, as provided by the "Law on Broadcasting”. As a result, by the decision of November 5, 2013 the Board of Trustees of Ajara TV was manned by one-party principle", says the statement. Coalition will use  all legal mechanisms for invalidation of illegal decision. For full text Source:gyla.ge

Tbilisi. CSO "Identity" has released the legal assessment and recommendations on potential amendments to the Criminal Code. The organization "welcomes the initiative on amending Articles 137, 138, 139, 140 and 141 of the Criminal Code of Georgia. The amendments aim to have an adequate response to offences and criminal facts against sexual freedom and inviolability. The organization believes that making sanctions against sexual violence stricter is a positive development. Yet, we consider that despite offered amendments, the above-listed articles of the Criminal Code go considerably beyond the objective of the law", says the released statement. For the full text (geo) Source: identoba.com

Tbilisi. Georgian Young Lawyers` Association released Sulkhan Saladze's blog post - "The Two "Truth” about the Reserve Funds”. "Since some days before the 2013 Presidential Elections, much has been said about the millions spent from the President’s Reserve Fund.    Representatives of the ruling party allege that funds from the President’s Reserve Fund were spent for political party purposes, namely, for the benefit of the United National Movement. President’s administration, however, has its counter argument, stating that activities funded from the President’s Reserve Fund were not envisaged in 2013 state budget and nobody undertook obligation to cover such expenses.     As for political statements, representatives of both political forces can be considered true. To be more precise, each might have their truth, yet I still consider that both of them try to mislead us more or less". says the blog post. For full text Source:gyla.ge

Tbilisi. The National Association of Local Authorities of Georgia has released a statement on October 31, by which it welcomes the adoption by the Government of Georgia of the new text of the Organic Law on Local Self-Government as a legislative initiative. Further, according to the statement, "... we constantly urged the Government of Georgia to lead the development process of this draft Law more transparently and to make it a subject of wider consensus...". For the full text (geo) Source: nala.ge