Tbilisi. The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) publishes analytical material: Cybersecurity reform in Georgia: Current challenges, international practices, and recommendations. “Legislative changes, initiated by Irakli Sesiashvili, a member of the Parliament of Georgia, completely modify the architecture of cybersecurity of the country and arrange critical infrastructure management related issues in a new way. Based on studies of international standards and practices, we would like to emphasize issues that need to be refined and taken into account to help ensure more secure cyberspace”, - is stated on the website of the organization. Read more…  Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. As Myth Detector informs, on September 18, Zurab Makharadze, one of the presenters of a program of Alt-Info, a Facebook page, spoke about the next United States presidential election. “According to him, the victory of Donald Trump in the United States presidential election will cause anger within Antifa, an international movement, which, as he himself states, is funded by the Open Society Georgia Foundation (so-called Soros Foundation). The statement of Alt-Info, as if the Open Society Georgia Foundation finances the Antifa movement, is disinformation. Antifa, an anti-fascist movement with leftist ideology, is an active participant and organizer of political processes that currently take place in the United States. As PolitiFact and Snopes, fact-finding organizations, as well as the New York Times and Forbes note, there is no evidence that George Soros and/or his organization finance organizers of a protest/disorder in the United States”, - is stated in the material spread by Myth Detector. Read more… Source: www.mythdetector.ge

Tbilisi. A new Handbook on legal issues of domestic violence and violence against women for law students is initiated with USAID/PROLoG’s support. “The aim of drafting the handbook is to create a comprehensive teaching material, to collect all existing legislation on domestic violence and violence against women as well as commentaries theron in order to make it easily accessible for law students”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page in the social network

Adjara. The thermal screening of the drivers and passengers continues at the entrances of Batumi. The activity is carried out by more than 30 Red Cross volunteers. Read more… Source: The organization’s page in the social network

Tbilisi. Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) publishes a podcast, in which there are discussions about mono-industries as well as diversification of the economy, opportunities of employment policy, and its effectiveness in such regions. "If we generate the ratio between the number of people employed in the mining sector and the total labor force, we will see that Georgia does not represent an economy dominated by an extractivist labor market. However, on the other hand, the fact that there are no other alternative employment opportunities in mono-industrial regions makes this sector of the economy extremely important in mono-industrial and similar resource-dependent regions”. Read more… Source:emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. Check out latest publication of GIZ Law Program: “Commentaries on the Civil Procedure Code of Georgia”. The book is published by the project "Better Commercial Law and Legal Practice in Georgia”, which is co-financed by the European Union and German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ). Only the electronic version of the book will be available and can be downloaded from the link bellow… Source: The organization’s page in the social network

Samegrelo. On September 18, certification of the participants of the Blueberry Farming Consultant training course was held. The course is implemented within the Dual Vocational Education Program. 23 internally displaced people and the conflict-affected youth residing in the Samegrelo region participate in the program. Read more… Source: The organization’s page in the social network

Imereti. The importance of civic engagement, Civil Society Organizations, International volunteering platform "Time Bank" – That’s issues Local Democracy Agency Georgia talked to youth in Baghdati municipality. The information meeting, which is implemented within the project, "Civil Society Development Initiative", was held at the youth center of the village Rokhi.  The project „Georgian Civil Society Sustainability Initiative” is implemented by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) in cooperation with the Civil Society Institute (CSI), the Consultation and Training Center (CTC), the Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia (CSRDG), and the Education Development and Employment Center (EDEC). The project is funded by the European Union (EU) and co-funded by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS).  Read more…  Source: The web-page of the organization

Tbilisi. The Public Defender’s Office of Georgia has drawn up an information bulletin on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in and out of the Context of Novel Coronavirus Pandemic. The document reviews the efforts of national human rights institutions, various international organizations and networks in the direction of the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities. Information Bulletin  Read more…  Source: The web-page of the organization

Tbilisi. On August 17, Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) and the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) submitted a coalition alternative report on the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to the UN Human Rights Committee. The alternative report has been prepared within the framework of the fifth cycle of review of the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights by Georgia. The report evaluates the main developments that took place during the last 6 years in relation to all civil and political rights stipulated by the Covenant, it also appraises the state of implementation of recommendations made by the Committee within the framework of the previous, fourth cycle. Read more… Source: www.gyla.ge

EU Ambassador Carl Hartzell has issued a statement on gender equality as part of the national campaign “Toloba”, which is the Georgian word for equality. The campaign is an initiative by Mtavari Channel, aimed at raising awareness on gender issues across Georgia.  Watch the video or read the transcript in full.  Read more…  Source: The web-page of the organization

Tbilisi. Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) publishes a viewpoint – “Reform of law enforcement system - Real perspective beyond election slogans." “The ruling political force has failed to mobilize enough resources and courage for systemic reforms at any stage. While fragmentary changes have not appeared sufficient for significant transformation”, - is stated in the document, - “High risk of political influence, weak accountability and strict centralized hierarchy are the main challenges that the law enforcement system faces today. Challenges require comprehensive brainstorming as well as changes that are consistent and compatible to the existing model of state arrangement”. Read more… Source: The website of the organization

Tbilisi. Fair Labor Platform releases a statement in regard to death of two and injury of one electricians, employed at JSC “Georgian Railway”, during dismantling of a high voltage transmission line support structure on September 17 in the city of Kutaisi. “The issue of working conditions of those employed at high-risk work places is still problematic and acute in the country. Despite certain changes made at the legislative level, the state is still unable to create fair and safe working conditions for those employed at high-risk work places. Work of people employed at such facilities is extremely vulnerable and dangerous for both their life and health”, - is noted in the statement. Read more… Source:www.gyla.ge

Tbilisi. Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) publishes analysis of legislation and practice of secret surveillance in Georgia. “Under the current regulations, there is little trust that in the conduct of secret investigative measures state interference in private life would be proportional to its legitimate aim. Lack of trust towards the government is dwelling from its reluctance to address the challenges, which are being highlighted by various international as well as domestic organizations”, is noted in the analytical document. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. According to information that Civil.ge releases, Facebook, a social media giant, is going to enact a fact-checking program in Georgia from next week. “The program will be launched on the basis of a partnership of Factcheck.ge and “Myth Detector” projects of “Georgia’s Reforms Associates” (GRASS), a non-governmental organization, and the “Media Development Foundation” with Facebook. It aims at revealing fake news and disinformation disseminated on the platform”. Read more… Source: civil.ge

Tbilisi. If you are 17 years old or older and think you can change the lives of others for the better, or even are willing to spend your free time productively - this project is for you. “The “Mestumre” project aims to provide elderly people living in elderly/care homes an opportunity of having regular, social interactions with young people and engaging in enjoyable activities once a week, for one hour. Selected volunteers will be trained by a MAC Georgia team and equipped with necessary knowledge and skills, which they can practice for 6 months while visiting elderly people”. In case you get interested - go to the link and register...  Source: The website of the project in a social network

Europe Foundation offers the representatives of civil society organizations an opportunity to participate in the training on community mobilization. The training will take place on October 1 and 2, 2020, and will be held remotely, using the web-platform Zoom. For more information and registration please visit... Source: The organization’s page in the social network

Tbilisi. “Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC)” responds to a resolution adopted by the European Parliament on September 16 of the current year. The resolution is about the implementation of the Association Agreement between Georgia and the European Union and contains an evaluation of the development of the country in various directions, including those related to the rule of law, human rights, and justice issues. Read more… Source: emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. According to information released by Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center, on September 16, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the implementation of the Association Agreement signed between Georgia and the European Union, which, along with other issues, touches upon shortcomings of labor legislation in Georgia.  EMC once again calls on the Parliament of Georgia to support the package of amendments to labor legislation and, together with other important regulations, ensure the establishment of full-fledged labor inspection.  Read more… Source: emc.org.ge

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. Within the framework of a long-term observation mission, the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association monitors pre-election processes in Tbilisi, Adjara, Guria, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, Imereti, Shida, and Kvemo Kartli, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, and Kakheti through its 9 regional observers.  “The Interim Report on the 2020 parliamentary elections contains findings of the monitoring carried out from June 1 through August 31.  GYLA observers from both the ruling party and the opposition detected:  - 5 cases of neglect of the requirement to separate the state and a political party (including the anti-crisis plan to eliminate consequences of COVID-19);  - 5 cases of voter bribery and alleged bribery;  - 6 cases of violent actions, creation of a tense pre-election environment and obstruction of pre-election agitation”.  Read more… Source: gyla.ge