In Georgia, the most important document for the field of youth, which is going to define a youth strategy of the country for next 5 years, is in the process of creation with participation of international experts of “Skills4jobs”, the European Union program, and local experts from the UN agencies. At regional forums, the Agency will present a strategy document existing at this stage, while young people will join thematic groups and develop recommendations. Further to the end of forums across the country, the Agency will submit a summary report of recommendations, received from the youth, along with other relevant documents, to the Government of Georgia at the stage of approving the strategy. Read more…  Source: The website of the organization in a social network

Tbilisi. International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) publishes an evaluation of a process of selection of professional members of the Supreme Election Commission of Adjara.  “Final report of an international monitoring mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, prepared after the 2018 presidential elections in Georgia, talks about changing the rule of staffing the election administration, which is going to promote more balanced political representation. The problem is a likelihood that in line with the current rule of appointment of members of commission one party can have more than one representative in the election commission, which fact increases a degree of political influence at election commissions of all levels.  On this background, existence of objective criteria for selection of professional members becomes more important in order to make sure that bodies involved in the process of administration of elections enjoy public trust and there is no feeling that they are politically biased”, - is stated in the evaluation. Read more… Source: The website of the organization

Tbilisi. Training for Trainers with participation of common courts judges was hold by USAID.  Training was led by international and Georgian experts and its topics were - enhancing justice through gender equality, eliminating sexual harassment in Georgian judiciary.  Read more…  Source: The page in the social network

Tbilisi. The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association releases a statement in regard to the 12th anniversary of the August war. “The August 2008 war killed hundreds of people, affected many civilians and violated their fundamental rights. Serious and massive violations of human rights and freedoms took place during the war, including facts of ethnic cleansing, premeditated murder of civilians, disappearance, massive destruction of property, forced displacement, assault on civilians, unlawful deprivation of liberty, torture and inhuman treatment. Unfortunately, facts of violation of rights of Georgian citizens continued to take place en masse even after the August 2008 war. After the war, authorities of the Russia, together with de facto representatives of the South Ossetia/Tskhinvali region and Abkhazia, actively started a so-called borderization process, which results in violation of rights of population living on the territory controlled by Georgia. In parallel with the borderization, a vicious practice of unlawful and arbitrary detention of people began in the proximity of the occupation line. Every year, hundreds of citizens of Georgia, including women and children, become victims of abduction. As a result, people residing in villages, adjacent to the dividing line, have to live in a fear daily, while their safety and well-being are endangered. Current situation is aggravated by the fact that population lack information about where the so-called administrative border should be. In most cases abductees are detained administratively and released in exchange for a certain amount of money. However, during last years, there is also increase in number of cases of criminal arrests, when detainees remain in captivity for years. In parallel with the vicious practice of unlawful detention at the so-called administrative border, we also encounter cases of serious violations of human rights, such as deprivation of the right to life and/or bodily harm”, - is noted in the statement. Read more… Source: The website of the organization

Tbilisi. The Public Defender of Georgia has released a statement in regard to the 12th anniversary of the August war. “On the 12th anniversary of the August 2008 war, Georgian, as well as both Ossetian and Abkhazian population, living in the conflict zone, still severely suffer from devastating consequences of the war. Facts of unlawful deprivation of the right to life are especially alarming. Following cases of violation of the right to life of Davit Basharuli in 2014, Giga Otkhozoria in 2016, Archil Tatunashvili in 2018 and Irakli Kvaratskhelia, a citizen of Georgia, at the Russian military base in the village of Nabakevi of Gali district of occupied Abkhazia in 2019 serve as evidences. It has to be emphasized that those directly involved in all killings are representatives of occupational regimes.  Freedom of movement turns to be the most serious problem. Facts of decease of people at the occupied territories due to improper healthcare assistance entailed by arbitrary closure of a so-called checkpoint have clearly demonstrated a deplorable human rights related situation and a humanitarian crisis, existing on the territory of the occupied Akhalgori district. Over the years, one of the most problematic issues on the occupied territories remains to be facts of detention of citizens and unlawful deprivation of liberty at the occupation line, beating of detainees, ill-treatment and torture at temporary isolators or prisons.  12 years have passed since the 2008 war. In spite of this, the occupation regime still continues unlawful borderization”, - is noted in the statement. Read more… Source:The website of the organization

Tbilisi. The August 2008 war appeared in the lenses of a number of foreign photographers. Works of two photographers have been awarded 2009 World Press Photo prizes. Media Checker presents public a collage of photos that have been created on the theme of August 2008 and won the competition. Read more… Source: mediachecker.ge

Tbilisi. Transparency International - Georgia presented a new website Russianoccupation ge to public today, the website contains information about villages affected by the conflict and Russian bases located on the territory of Georgia. “12 years have passed since 2008. In this war, Georgia lost control over 125 villages; 850 people were killed, more than 2000 were injured, while up to 20000 are still displaced; a creeping occupation continues to this day and our citizens get detained for crossing the dividing line”, - it reminds us. Read more…  Source: The website of the organization in a social network

Tbilisi. The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) publishes a blog post – “12 years since the August 2008 war: Russian disinformation and real facts”. “In 2020, 12 years have passed since the start of the August 2008 Russian-Georgian war. As in 2008, Russian propaganda, related to the Russian-Georgian war, is active today too. Through disseminating disinformation, it attempts to convince population of both Russia and Georgia, as well as the international community that the war in August 8, 2008 was initiated by Georgia against ethnic Ossetians, while Russia was “forced” to perform military intervention into Georgia to “protect” them. In fact, this conflict has a much longer history, which proves that the initiator of the war was not Georgia”, - is stated in the blog post. Read more… Source: The website of the organization

Tbilisi. US Embassy in Georgia published the local statement on the 12th anniversary of the conflict between Russia and Georgia. “Twelve years have passed since Russia invaded the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. August 7 is a somber reminder of the thousands who have suffered and continue to suffer in the wake of Russia’s invasion. Today, we remember residents forced out of their homes and forced to live as internally displaced persons. We remember innocent civilians who died because the de facto authorities closed the Administrative Boundary Lines (ABL) and denied them access to emergency medical care. We remember families torn apart and robbed of their livelihoods by illegal “borderization” activities. As the whole world grapples with the effects of COVID-19, Georgia also suffers from the loss of trade between communities now cut off by arbitrary lines, further hampering economic recovery”, - Is mentioned in the statement, - “Russia’s responsibilities under the 2008 ceasefire agreement are clear: Russia must withdraw its forces to pre-conflict positions and allow unfettered access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance. We also call again on Russia to reverse its recognition of the so-called independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. It is essential for hundreds of thousands of IDPs and refugees to be able to return safely and with dignity to their homes. The United States' commitment to our friends and partners in Georgia remains steadfast. We stand with the people of Georgia and join them in calling for these communities, divided by Russian aggression, to be united once again”. Read more…  Source: The page in the social network

Tbilisi. UN Women is implementing Georgia’s first-ever Time Use Survey. The survey will be carried out by GEOSTAT and findings will become available at the end of 2021. How much time is spend by women and men on: Household work; Paid job; Education, sport and recreation; Transport and technologies; Volunteerism and other activities – Those are issues, the survey will cover. Read more…  Source: The page in the social network

Tbilisi. EWMI ACCESS provides public with information about developments it has supported. In particular: Poti City Assembly extended its support to a petition of citizens in regard to monitoring of quality of air in the city; With a voluntary initiative, co-financed by citizens, popularization of villages of Racha is going to start; Activists celebrated the 100th anniversary of return of Adjara into boundaries of Georgia by distributing an anti-propaganda newspaper in Batumi; Legal analysis of a state program for assistance to victims of COVID-19 and respective recommendations were published; “School for Mothers” helps young mothers in Marneuli villages to improve their knowledge; Professional burnout prevention training was conducted for civil activists. Read more… Source: ewmiaccess.createsend.com

Tbilisi. EU published the local statement on the 12th anniversary of the conflict between Russia and Georgia. “Today marks the twelfth anniversary of the conflict between Russia and Georgia. Despite the many global challenges, the European Union’s commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflicts in Georgia remains as strong as ever. Unfortunately, tensions have remained high over recent months and the Russian military presence in both Abkhazia and South Ossetia continues in violation of international law and commitments undertaken under the 12 August 2008 agreement”, - Is mentioned in the statement, - “The European Union reconfirms its full commitment to the stabilisation and conflict resolution efforts in Georgia, including through its engagement as co-chair in the Geneva International Discussions, the efforts of the EU Special Representative and the crucial role played on the ground by the EU Monitoring Mission. The European Union reiterates its firm support to the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders”. Read more…  Source: The web-page of the organization

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... 

Young farmers of Tsnori Agro School will supply their harvest to the Tbilisi agro market, Café “Mziuri” on August 7, at 17:00. Young farmers at 8-13 years of age learned at the online agro school of “Knowledge Café” how to grow 5 crops and on Friday, in the yard of Café “Mziuri”, they will meet you at the agro market and bring: cucumbers, tomatoes, potatoes, broccoli. A fun agro quiz is going to be held for young guests of the agro market, winners of which will receive agro stickers as presents. While money gained from the agro market will be transferred by young farmers from Kiziki to construct a building for “Knowledge Café”. Read more…  Source: The website of the organization in a social network

Today, IDFI team held an online meeting together with the representatives of USAID/Georgia, GGI Georgia, the City Hall of Telavi Municipality and the local non-governmental organizations. The objective of the meeting was to discuss the draft Integrity and Transparency Strategy and Action Plan of the City Hall of Telavi Municipality with civil society. Read more…  Source: The page in the social network

Tbilisi. Transparency International Georgia examined the activities of Batumi City Council of the 2017 convocation covering the period between November 2017 and 31 December 2019 (hereinafter reporting/research period). The report is based on the information requested from the City Council, observations by Transparency International Georgia and media reports. The report also includes the main findings and recommendations which, if considered, would help the City Council formed as a result of the 2021 local self-government elections in its future activities. Read more…  Source: The web-page of the organization

Shida Kartli. Within the Dual Vocational Education Programme, the short-term vocational training courses in Vet Technicians are underway for the internally displaced people and the conflict-affected youth residing in the Shida Kartli region. The courses have 13 participants.  EU4Youth – Enhancing Youth Education, Employment, and Participation in Conflict-affected Areas in Georgia and Ukraine is implemented by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and Education Development and Employment Center (EDEC) in Georgia. The project is funded by the European Union. Read more…  Source: The page in the social network

USAID continue to partner with the Government of Georgia to respond to COVID-19 and ensure that Georgia's people are protected during crises that might occur in the future.  “We are currently working with the Civil Service Bureau to help them develop crisis management guidelines. The guidelines will help Georgia's dedicated civil servants work effectively during future crises”, - Is mentioned in the USAID’s social network page.  Read more…   Source: The page in the social network

Tbilisi. The Project is pleased to present a comprehensive study prepared by its senior experts, Eka Lomtatitdze on duty of the High Council of Justice to reason its decisions.  The purpose of the study of Georgian legislation and relevant case law is to identify the acts of the HCOJ (as a collegial body), in respect of which the reasoning is required. The relevant practice of the Constitutional Court and the Qualification Chamber of the Supreme Court is also examined. Study  Read more…  Source: The page in the social network

Human Rights House Tbilisi and Human Rights House Foundation jointly presented a report within the framework of the third cycle of the United Nations Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review (UPR)...  The document contains an evaluation of the situation in terms of rights of human rights defenders and activists in Georgia during the last reporting period (2015-2020) as well as various problematic aspects that hinder their free activities in Georgia. It also contains a review of cases of discrimination of human rights defenders and restriction of their right to freedom of expression, problems related to freedom of assembly, slanderous as well as discrediting campaigns, and etc.  Read more…   Source: hrht.ge

Due to importance of addressing gender issues in the circumstances of pandemic, the Public Defender of Georgia, with the support of UN Women, translated a policy research document prepared by the UN – “Impact of COVID-19 on women”. The pandemic caused by the new coronavirus (COVID-19) has a negative impact on gender equality. International practice shows that risks of gender-based violence have increased, access to women health services, incomes and livelihoods, education, clean water and food has become more complicated. The UN policy research document contains a review of impact of the pandemic in terms of the economy, health, unremunerated work, gender-based violence and humanitarian missions. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. Transparency International Georgia has evaluated the performance of the representative body of the Municipality of the City of Poti which was elected in 2017 – the City Council (hereinafter the City Council of Poti). The report is based on information requested and received from the City Council and that posted on the City Council’s official website, as well as on observations of our organization. The study covers the period from November 2017 up to 2019. Read more…  Source: The web-page of the organization