Tbilisi. The Georgian Center for Psychosocial and Medical Rehabilitation of Torture Victims – GCRT expresses its concern in regard to a story broadcasted through the air of “Mtavari Channel”. The story was about a porn trafficking of minors from 6 to 16 years of age.  “It is categorically unacceptable to spread photo and video material with nude, erotic content about children through the mass media, regardless of whether their faces are covered or not. This action is contrary to the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse. Hiding faces of children cannot prevent the risk of their identification by people who are personally familiar with juveniles involved in this process. Besides, the risk of retraumatization is high - nobody knows how strong feelings viewing this material will cause in adolescents who have experienced violence against themselves. It should also be noted that by publicizing these shots through the television, we practically leave photo and video material about children in the Internet for ever and victims will be able to see them even years later”, - is stated on the website of the organization.  Read more… Source: gcrt.ge

Tbilisi. The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) publishes an article containing s a review of donations made in favor of the ruling party during 2019 and up to June 3, 2020, which raise questions in terms of their legitimacy and honesty of intention. “Political donations often involve risks of corruption. Companies that fund the ruling party may happen to win a large number of tenders and, thus, actually return money they have given out, or to enjoy other types of benefits or privileges. Besides, companies often bypass limits, set by law, in various ways and fund the ruling party much more than it is allowed”, - is stated on the website of the organization. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. According to information released by Myth Detector, Google is going to start verifying search results for photos in order to stop spreading disinformation on the platform,. “Why it is important: The threat of a text-based disinformation may be overshadowed by a misleader, manipulative and fake photos/videos, including convincing deep fakes that are generated through artificial intelligence”, - is stated on the website of Myth Detector. Read more… Source: mythdetector.ge

Tbilisi. According to a survey ordered by Transparency International Georgia, a public opinion inquiry revealed that population is aware of general problems existing in the justice system and, at the same time, has a proper perception of systemic shortcomings. “47% of society consider that there is an influential group (clan) within the judiciary system, while 84% of these people believe that this group is supported by current members of the Government”, - is stated on the website of the organization. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) publishes material: Ensuring public engagement in police activities. The organization considers that “for a democratic country it is important to ensure public engagement in the process of enhancement of police supervision and, based on a good practice, supports establishment of public engagement councils in Georgia as an independent external mechanism. Above councils will be allowed to review complaints, submitted against the police, along with other authorities”. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. Signatory organizations and activists respond to the process of review of the bill on “Rights of Persons with Disabilities” and call on the Parliament of Georgia to ensure full compliance of the package of legislative changes with international obligations and active engagement of the community of people with disabilities in the process of its review.  “We once again reiterate our readiness to cooperate with the Parliament and the Ministry of Justice and participate in working meetings, where we will be given the opportunity to present our opinions and recommendations in regard to the bill in details. Only active communication will allow us to refine the document in such a way as to ensure its full compliance with international standards and to turn the bill into active mechanism for protecting rights of people with disabilities”, - is noted in the statement.  Read more… Source: gyla.ge

Tbilisi. Civil society organizations release the statement on the possible election of Sofio Kiladze as a member to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC). “We, the undersigned organizations, underline that the state ignored the UN recommended selection procedure when selecting the candidate for the CRC membership and nominated Ms. Sopio Kiladze who does not represent for strong belief and respect for equality and human rights. Ms. Kiladze during her tenure as the Chair of the Human Rights and Civil Integration Committee has on numerous occasions demonstrated homophobic attitudes and selectiveness in supporting human rights, especially the rights of minority groups. We, the signatory organizations believe that the parties casting their votes should be aware of the civil society position before making a voting decision”, is noted in the statement. Read more… Source: phrgeorgia.wordpress.com

Tbilisi. According to a public opinion survey ordered by Transparency International Georgia, the majority of population (75%) consider that local self-governments should have more authority to address problematic issues of municipalities. “The vast majority of citizens are satisfied with issues related to electricity, gas and water supply at their settlements, however, these issues are no longer to be solved by municipal services. Out of competencies of local self-governments citizens are satisfied with garbage collection and cleaning services the most of all, while they are mostly dissatisfied with the arrangement of parks and squares, landscaping and settling problems of homeless animals”, - is stated on the website of the organization. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) and the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association call on the Parliament of Georgia to carry out a reform of the labor legislation necessary to guarantee basic rights of those employed. “Labor rights are totally violated in the country. Dangerous and degrading work environment, unregulated working hours, work without breaks and day offs, unpaid overtime work, discrimination at the workplace and other common practices of violation of rights on the background of weak mechanisms of enforcement of labor law lead to mass exploitation and vulnerability of those employed”, - is noted in the joint statement. Read more… Source: emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. According to a survey ordered by Transparency International Georgia, the vast majority of adult population of Georgia (79%) considers that a new political force needs to emerge in Georgian politics. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. Facilitators to the political dialogue release a joint statement and call all sides to fully implement 8 March agreement. “The 8 March agreement was a historic achievement, agreed by a broad majority of political parties and Members of Parliament. As Parliament prepares to vote on Constitutional amendments that would establish a more proportional electoral system in Georgia, we again urge all sides to fully implement the 8 March agreement”. Read more… Source: ge.usembassy.gov

Tbilisi. According to information released by the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED), researchers of the American research organization “Graphika” (https://www.graphika.com/our-story) and social media have revealed and described in details the Russian information operation that takes place secretly for 6 years. “The Secondary Infektion operation was mainly related to the Ukraine, the United States and Turkey, however, a lot of other countries were also selected as targets for disinformation. According to a report prepared by “Graphika”, Georgia is one of those several countries, against which disinformation campaigns have been launched. Within the framework of this operation, Georgia was presented as a country that was not ready to join the European Union and NATO. Reasons for this were said to be soft position of Georgia in relation with Russia and its incompatibility with Western values. The Russian information operation also included messages as if Georgia was not a reliable country due to the high risk of corruption; its foreign policy line was not clearly established and was therefore unpredictable”, - is stated in the report of the organization. Read more… Source: isfed.ge

Tbilisi. The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) has provided its comments on several issues that are part of the 2020 voluntary national review report related to sustainable development goals of Georgia. Above issues constitute important directions of activities of the organization.  The organization considers that there are number of shortcomings in listed directions (institutional arrangement of the Interagency Council for Sustainable Development Goals and raising awareness of sustainable development goals; integration of sustainable development goals into national strategic documents; participatory process of policy development; justice system; fight against corruption). These shortcomings have negative impact on the process of implementation of sustainable development goals.  Read more…  Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) publishes a document: One year since June 20-21 developments.  “In a year time since June 20-21, 2019 developments, this document appraises effectiveness of response of the state to violations of rights caused by the use of the mass police force, outcomes of the ongoing investigation towards citizens and against the police, existing so far. The document refers on information received from relevant agencies, material provided in public sources, a special report of the Public Defender in regard to the ongoing investigation in June 20-21 developments conducted at the Prosecutor’s Office”, - is stated on the website of the organization.  Read more… Source: emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. Media Checker publishes a blog post of Maia Metskhvarishvili: Threat of extortion, revelation of fakeness - what TV wars serve. The material touches upon stories prepared by TV channels that have critical attitude towards the Government (TV Pirveli, Mtavari). These stories, on the other hand, are used by TV channels, loyal to the Government (Imedi TV and POSTV), to make a subject of discussion out of them and interpret them as so called fake news. “In all this controversy, it is certainly a spectator who appears to be affected and does not receive accurate, impartial, balanced information regarding processes that take place in the country. Particularly against the background of the fact that in Georgia TV stations still remain to be the main source of information”, - is stated in the blog post. Read more… Source:www. mediachecker.ge

Tbilisi. Within the framework of the “Civil Society Sustainability Initiative” project, there have been created publications: To what extent does Georgia fulfill its obligations committed on the basis of the Association Agreement with the European Union?  Documents touch upon results of the monitoring of fulfillment of obligations committed by Georgia in various fields...   All information regarding association with the European Union can be found on one website   Publications have been created within the framework of the “Civil Society Sustainability Initiative” project with the support of the European Union and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS).  Source: The website of the organization in a social network

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. With the support of the Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia (CSRDG), an organization “Chiaturians Union” has prepared a detailed monitoring and advocacy report, which touches upon improvement of atmospheric air quality in Chiatura. Take a look at the detailed report  The publication has been created within the framework of the “Civil Society Sustainability Initiative” project with the support of the European Union and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS). Source: The website of the organization in a social network

Tbilisi. Coalition for Euro-Atlantic Georgia member organizations respond to the intention of possible assassination of Giorgi Gabunia, a journalist, and consider it as a Russian plan to destabilize Georgia. “In its reports, the State Security Service also emphasizes a threat posed by the Russian soft power. On this background, taking a journalist as a possible target can be considered as an action directed against security of the country and towards possible destabilization. We, the signatory organizations condemn actions taken by representatives of Russian authorities and those under their control against sovereignty of Georgia and its citizens. We call on the Government of Georgia to conduct an investigation transparently, ensure engagement of experts from friendly countries in it and provide public with complete information regarding the planned crime”, - is noted in the joint statement. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

The Civil Society Institute (CSI) is accepting applications for an online course – “Journalism for social changes”.  In the epoch of modern technologies and various social platforms, each citizen becomes not only a recipient of information, but often a source of information or a facilitator of spread of information.  In order to promote positive and necessary changes, it is essential to know: how to spread information quickly; how to manage informing broader layers of public; how to use modern technologies, platforms for this purpose; how to not become a victim of manipulation; when and how to verify information; how to not become a spreader of disinformation.  Read more…   Source: civilin.org

Tbilisi. Media Advocacy Coalition member organizations call on the Government of Georgia to respond respectively and demand to have investigative bodies release timely and substantiated information about news broadcasted by “Mtavari Arkhi” in regard to planning assassination of Giorgi Gabunia.  Read more… Source: The website of the Coalition in a social network

Tbilisi. Civil society organizations respond to the State Security Service call of Tamta Mikeladze, one of the directors of Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC), for interrogation. “According to the general explanation of SSG, the investigation concerns racial discrimination, as certain individuals attempt to stir up strife between ethnic Georgians and Azerbaijanis in the Kvemo Kartli and Kakheti regions. Starting the investigation by SSG with a vague objective, and, as a result, calling the head of the non-governmental organization for interrogation, may be perceived as an indication and warning to civil activists. This practice is dangerous also due to the fact that most probably SSG will require signing of a Non-Disclosure Agreement, which will make it impossible not only to discuss effectively correctness of the fact of calling the head of the non-governmental organization for interrogation in this context, but also to allow Tamta Mikeladze, a critically important activist in informing society regarding ethnic minority problems, to provide public with alternative information, coming from authorities, freely and unrestrictedly”, - is noted in the joint statement. Read more… Source: gyla.ge