Tbilisi. On March 12, the Goal.ge website disseminated information that Georgian NGOs, together with the Public Defender, demanded to disqualify Nikoloz Basilashvili from the Doha tournament. According to sources of Myth Detector, this information is unequivocally false. Read more… Source:www.mythdetector.ge

Tbilisi. The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) publishes an analysis: Importance of a system of petitions for citizen participation: International examples and practice of Georgia. “It is important to keep the minimum margin, defined for collecting petitions, low at the initial stage so as to make sure that a comparatively high level of it does not have reverse effect and develop nihilistic mood within active citizens. Two aspects that have the utmost importance are accountability and transparency of public institutions, which imply proactive access to information on submitted, as well as addressed petitions, openness of the process of revision of successful petitions and substantiation of a final decision. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. “Rights Georgia” considers that the ruling of the Tbilisi City Court on seizure of the electronic data transfer device, delivered (sent) to “TV Pirveli” by a confidential source and mentioned in a Saturday Show of Nodar Meladze, contradicts legislation of Georgia and, respectively, Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Read more… Source: rights.ge

Tbilisi. Georgian Democracy Initiative (GDI) responds to a March 9, 2021 ruling of the Tbilisi City Court, based on which there was issued a permission to carry out an investigative action – seizure aiming to obtain items transferred to “TV Pirveli” by a confidential source, while the Prosecutor’s Office was allowed to apply the proportional measure of coercion in case of resistance. “We consider that the recording, broadcasted by “TV Pirveli”, makes a significant contribution to the legitimate public debate that is particularly important for society, it is protected by freedom of speech and expression, while actions of the Prosecutor’s Office and the court ruling undermine the essence of media as a guardian of democracy as well as possibility of its free existence”, - is stated on the website of the organization. Read more… Source: gdi.ge

Tbilisi. Sector 3 would like to respond to a ruling by the Tbilisi City Court that allowed the prosecutor's office to remove materials provided by a confidential source to TV Pirveli using a proportionate coercion measure. “We believe that any step or action that creates the perception that freedom of speech and media independence are threatened must be taken with particular caution. We call on the authorities to act according to the law, be prudent, take into account the existing polarized environment, and be aware of the risks arising from the possible enforcement of the court order”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on a social network

Tbilisi. The Public Defender of Georgia considers that the court decision on the conduct of the measure of seizure at TV Pirveli is unsubstantiated and contradicts Georgian legislation and European human rights law. Ombudsman calls on the Prosecutor General's Office of Georgia not to take a step that would seriously undermine freedom of expression and journalistic activity. Read more… Source: www.ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. “Media Advocacy Coalition” responds to information released on March 11, 2021, according to which the court authorized the Prosecutor’s Office to seize materials from “TV Pirveli”.  The relevant ruling has already been received by the TV Company. “It is important to note that according to Article 50 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Georgia, a journalist cannot act as a witness in regard to information obtained within the framework of his/her professional activity.  Respectively, any move to influence journalists can be perceived as an attempt to disclose a source of information. In our opinion, conducting an investigation with the focus on this method poses a danger that media may once again become a target of political retaliation. “We continue to urge international partners to pay special attention to the campaign carried out against media in Georgia, which, unfortunately, is encouraged by state institutions and high-ranking officials”, - is noted in the statement of the coalition. Read more… Source: The website of the organization in a social network

Tbilisi. The Public Defender is alarmed by the data of the National Center for Disease Control, according to which, the rate of wearing a mask has decreased from 75% to 43% in the country. In view of all the above, the Public Defender calls on: The State and local self-government bodies: To ensure effective and real control over the implementation of the novel coronavirus restrictions across the country;  The population of Georgia: To fully comply with quarantine and self-isolation requirements and recommendations as the only and most effective way today to protect our own and others’ right to health and life - proper use of masks, including in open spaces, observation of hygiene rules and social distancing; Media outlets: To the extent possible, to systematically disseminate information and inform the population about the importance of preventive measures - proper use of a mask and observation of social distancing. 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

Tbilisi. The Tbilisi office of the South Caucasus Regional Bureau of the Heinrich Boell Foundation presents an article by Lika Jalagania on voice of women and power of listener. “The collective violence, committed against Nini in Kobuleti, should certainly be pointing out the problem of survival discourse. If we survive a man, there will always appear someone and something condemning our being a victim due to their insistence to stay safe. However, our survival will cause disappointment if we do not follow rules of a proposed game. The family of Nini survived through “atonement of guilt” because what we are demanded to do is to demonstrate weakness – be a passive victim who bases “lost dignity” self-description on infallible evidences of sacred victimhood”. Read more… Source:feminism-boell.org

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The web portal CsoGeorgia.org releases a weekly newsletter of grants competition, contests, vacancies, fellowships, and tenders for civil society organizations, and for any interested person. Newsletter...

Tbilisi. On March 10, 2021, the Public Defender’s Office, in cooperation with UN Women and with the support of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, held an online presentation assessing Georgia's international obligations relating to gender mainstreaming and presented a study conducted by the Public Defender’s Office. “The study made it clear that despite the progress made in recent years in the direction of gender equality, the country's gender policy fails to increase women's political participation or coordinate the work of state agencies in response to violence against women and domestic violence, or to prevent the cases of femicide. Implementing and monitoring gender mainstreaming in national policy and budgeting also remains a problem”. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. Georgian Civil Society Organizations are reacting to the audio recording broadcast on TV Pirveli • ტელეკომპანია პირველი, the alleged participants of which are, the incumbent Prime Minister, the head of the Special State Protection Service, and Bera Ivanishvili. “We call on the Parliament of Georgia to use the tools afforded to it by the Constitution of Georgia and the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament and to demand clarifications from the Prime Minister. The disseminated record and the alleged participation of the Prime Minister in it should be the subject of parliamentary discussions. We call on law enforcement agencies to take an appropriate expert and/or other investigative measures to verify the authenticity of the record. To ensure public trust, this process must be conducted in a timely, efficient, and transparent manner. The involvement of independent observers/experts in the process must be ensured. All necessary measures must be taken to increase the credibility of the investigation”. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) publishes a study: Challenges of an HR and payroll policy at state-owned companies. According to results of the study, the organization concludes that “Heads of state-owned companies are distinguished by having high labor remuneration, regardless financial consequences of their company. Besides, IDFI considers that summarized data of labor remuneration and declared incomes of executives reflected in financial statements do not completely appraise scales of payroll policy related challenges existing at state-owned companies and their negative impact on financial consequences of companies". Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. Civil society representatives would like to respond to the resumption of the dialogue between political parties and welcome the active role which our European partners have played in this process. An agreement based on the six points proposed through the mediation of European Council President Charles Michel would help us overcome the crisis. “We believe that the current political crisis can be resolved through concrete steps designed to defuse the current situation and implement institutional reforms for the country’s democratic development. We believe that a number of important steps have to be taken to resolve the crisis: In order to defuse the situation, restore trust, and create an environment conducive to negotiation opposition party leader Nika Melia and Giorgi Rurua, a shareholder in a TV station whose editorial policy has been critical toward the government, must be released from custody; A genuine electoral reform must be implemented; The Parliament’s oversight role must be strengthened and the opposition must be given certain levers of influence over the political process; Steps Must be taken toward the justice system’s independence; An effective anti-corruption reform must be implemented”. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. With the financial support of the European Union (EU), Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) is implementing the project “Monitoring Covid-19 related public spending and human rights protection during the state of emergency and after". "The initiative is contributing to increasing government accountability regarding Covid-19-related public spending, implementation of the Government Anti-Crisis Plan, spending of StopCov Fund, and allocation of donor support.  This document is an interim report that includes an overview of activities carried out through March-December 2020, monitoring results, and recommendations”. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. On February 11, 2021, the Constitutional Court took a decision in regard to the constitutionality of restrictions imposed during the pandemic. The Constitutional Court considered arguments of plaintiffs unsubstantiated and did not satisfy their constitutional claims. EMC critically appraises this decision and provides an overview of those main problematic aspects that, in the opinion of the organization, are contrary to the fundamental principles of the Constitution of Georgia. Read more… Source:emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. On March 5, 2021, the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) applied to the Administrative Cases Panel at the Tbilisi City Court with a request to abolish the curfew. “It has been more than 3 months that the curfew is in effect on the entire territory of Georgia in a continuous mode and with the same strictness. While in the 7 largest cities of the state, duration of the curfew exceeds 4 months”. The organization considers that the Government of Georgia restricts freedom of movement disproportionately, which contradicts requirements of Paragraph 3 under Article 453 of the Law of Georgia on Public Health. IDFI will apply to the Constitutional Court with the same issue in the near future. Read more... Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. Over the next month, USAID Georgia will share the stories of women who are breaking down barriers in Georgian society. If you live in Tbilisi, be sure to visit our photo installation at the entrance to Vake Park. You can see the portraits of women who are smashing stereotypes and voice your own opinion on women’s empowerment. When you visit, post a photo with the installation and tag the women who have inspired you! And remember to use the campaign hashtag: #SmashingStereotypes. You can also visit photo installations in Batumi, Kutaisi, and Telavi".  Read more… Source: The organization’s page in the social network

Tbilisi. The Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) publishes an article by Giga Karapetyan and Ani Gogberashvili: “Women street traders and the pandemic: Fighting for daily needs”. "In this context, our research article is an attempt to analyze social and economic dimensions of street trading straight from the perspective of women street traders. For the article, we conducted ten interviews with women street traders self-employed in Gori and Tbilisi. Most of them are pensioners and are considered to be the main breadwinners in their families”, - is stated in the article. Read more… Source: emc.org.ge