Tbilisi. Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC), together with the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI), publishes a shadow report – “Status of implementation of the strategy and action plan of the judicial system”.  “The monitoring report has revealed that the High Council of Justice does not pay proper attention to complete implementation of the strategy and action plan, and often specific activities are carried out just technically, while their substantive result, qualitative improvement of justice, remains beyond the interest of agencies responsible for implementation of the action plan”, - is stated on the website of the organization.  Read more…  Source: emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. Transparency International Georgia considers that amendments to the rules of procedure of the Parliament deteriorate legal status of the opposition. “Members of the majority presented draft amendments to the rules of procedure to the Parliament on June 1. The analysis contains important novelties envisaged by the draft, which deteriorate legal status of the opposition. More specifically: Members of Parliament, elected as nominees of various political parties and/or electoral blocs, will no longer be able to form a common faction; during political debates, the majority faction will have its time to give a speech increased, while small factions and independent Members of Parliament will have it shortened; to fill its quota, the opposition will no longer be able to approve a member of the Prosecutorial Council independently, without the support of the majority”, - is stated on the website of the organization. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) publishes a blog post: System of disciplinary liability of judges.  “In terms of disciplinary liability of judges, there are significant gaps and challenges remaining in legislation and practice...”  Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. The Coalition for Media Advocacy considers that developments occurred around Adjara Public Broadcaster are still critical. “So far it is the seventh day of the hunger strike that takes place in front of Adjara Broadcaster. Shorena Glonti, Head of News Service, has also become a victim of persecution and harassment, she has even been fired from her work today. The responsibility for these and other events lies with authorities of Adjara Broadcaster - Director and Board of Trustees”. Read more… Source: gyla.ge

Tbilisi. Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) publishes a collection of translations: racism, capitalism, patriarchy - collection of translations. “The collection gathers translations of public speeches, essays and interviews of African-American activists, researchers and thinkers into the Georgian language. Authors disclose the history and structural causes, which condition existence of racism in the United States, and work out various ways in which it is possible to criticize the existing system, confront it, or seek ways of solidarity among different groups”, - is stated on the website of the organization. Read more… Source: emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) responds to dismantling of unauthorized constructions in the Rekhi settlement planned by the Tbilisi City Hall. The organization calls on the City Hall to protect and take into account interests of those left homeless as much as possible. “Given the obligation to guarantee the right to adequate housing, it is important to have municipal agencies consider vulnerability of residents of the Rekhi settlement and avoid taking steps, which will further aggravate their conditions, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Any action applied by the municipality in regard to this issue should take rights and interests of residents into account accordingly and ensure their homelessness is prevented”, - is noted in the statement of the organization. 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. The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) publishes a study that contains a review of lobbying activities of Georgia in 2015-2020 years. The review includes analysis of concluded agreements and information regarding actual cash transfers made from Georgia. Read more… Source:idfi.ge

Tbilisi. A set of documents provide guidelines and protocols for mental healthcare providers, aiming to protect patients and personnel from COVID-19. The documents are prepared by the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia with the assistance from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Read more… Source: The organization’s page in the social network

Tbilisi. Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) publishes three policy documents that are related to the employment policy. These documents contain analysis of the employment policy existing in Georgia, as well as labor market structure, unemployment and social mechanisms to support those unemployed. Read more… Source: emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. On June 2, 2020 “Institute for Development of Freedom of Information” submitted a report to the UN Human Rights Council for the 3rd Cycle of Universal Periodic Review. The report deals with the following pressingissues: 1) Administration of Justice and Fair Trial; 2) Freedom of Expression/Access to Information; 3) Right to Privacy. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. The EU has announced three new projects supporting vulnerable groups cope with the Covid-19 crisis in Georgia. “The EU has stood by Georgia from the very beginning of the crisis and will continue to do so. The projects will support victims of domestic violence, IDPs, and persons with disabilities across Georgia and will be implemented by civil society partners Women’s Information Center, Coalition for Independent Living, and IDP Women Association “Consent“”, is noted in the statement.  Read more… Source: eeas.europa.eu

Tbilisi. The Network of Centers for Civic Engagement presents explanations of a target state program for reduction of harm caused by infection (COVID-19), the source of which is the new coronavirus (SARS-COV-2), and frequently asked questions. The document is available on the website of the Network. Read more…

Tbilisi. Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) has revealed significant challenges in the operation of the system of distribution of cases. For example, chairman of court still retains problematic authorities, including rights to determine shifts, make changes to them, and define composition of judges of narrow specialization. Read more…

Tbilisi. Children and adolescents have been greatly affected by the COVID-19 global pandemic. UNICEF is particularly concerned about the impact on those that have inequitable access to basic services and resources. “Children living in overcrowded households or in inadequate conditions, like lacking hand-washing and other hygiene facilities, are particularly vulnerable to rapid COVID-19 transmission. According to UNICEF’s Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, 29,800 children in Georgia have no handwashing facility with water and soap in the household. This means they are exposed to a greater risk of COVID-19 infection. All children should continue to learn during the ongoing crisis and be able to safely return to school. Children who are already marginalized by lack of access to digital tools and internet connectivity, favourable home learning environments and parental support, risk falling further behind”, is noted in the statement. Read more… Source: www.unicef.org

Tbilisi. Within the scopes of the project “Global Facility on Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (GF-AML/CFT)” launched by European Commission, the training on “FATF Recommendation 8 for NPOs” will be held for the representatives of non-governmental organizations. “The training course will raise the awareness of the participants on preventive activities executed in the non-governmental sector in relation to the AML/CFT. Following non-governmental organizations are taking part in the training course: Civil Society Institute; Media Development Foundation; Europe Foundation; Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies (Rondeli Foundation); Center for Training and Consultancy (CTC); Transparency International – Georgia; Economic Policy Research Center (EPRC); Civil Development Agency (CiDA); International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED); Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA). Training course is held from June 1 to June 5, at 19:00-20:00 with using the Zoom platform. The organization of the training course in Georgia is supported by the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI)”, is noted in the statement. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) demands protection of children from gambling industry. “Engagement of children in gambling, along with the high rate of child poverty and gaps in the education system, remains a serious challenge that increases the risk of chronic poverty and psychosocial problems. To ensure a safe environment and healthy development for minors, EMC calls on the Government of Georgia to enact strict gambling regulation mechanisms as soon as possible and prevent engagement of minors in gambling”. Read more… Source: emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association submitted its views regarding the package of amendments to the Labor Code, initiated by members of parliament, to Healthcare and Human Rights Committees of the Parliament of Georgia. “Despite the fact that the amendments to the “Labor Code” and the bill of Georgia on “Labor Inspection” increase guarantees for legal protection of those employed, GYLA considered it necessary to submit additional comments to the Parliament of Georgia in order to facilitate improvement of the bill and elimination of existing shortcomings”. Read more… Source: gyla.ge

Tbilisi. Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC), the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) and the Media Development Foundation (MDF) consider that the Parliament should not support a bill on Information Security. “With its content and proposed regulations, the bill contradicts regulations of the EU, obligations under the Association Agreement and requirements of GDPR in terms of procedures related to personal data processing. During drafting the bill there was not ensured compliance with mentioned regulations and so far no measures have been taken in this regard. “Respectively, the “Law of Georgia on Information Security” requires to be revised and amended, especially in the field of refinement of execution mechanisms”, - is noted in the joint statement. Read more… Source: emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. Due to the Transparency International Georgia GEL 40 Million Being Spent Without Tenders through Village Support Programme. “The Village Support Programme has set a dangerous precedent of a blanket authorization of simplified procurement being issued for multiple procurements. In addition to contradicting the requirements of the law, this also directly contradicts the State Procurement Agency's publicly declared goal of reducing the share of simplified procurement in public procurement. The steps taken toward this goal have yielded impressive results in recent years: The share of simplified procurement in public procurement fell from 37% to 19% between 2016 and 2018. In this context, it is not clear why the State Procurement Agency has issued blanket authorization to spend all of the Village Support Programme's funds through simplified procurement”. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. Media Checker publishes a video tutorial, which will teach you what to consider while getting familiarized with coronavirus related materials so as not to become a victim of disinformation. “Remember not to trust medical advices and recommended medications blindly unless you are confident in credibility of the source. The video has been prepared with the support of EWMI Access”. Read more… Source: The website of the organization in a social network

Tbilisi. The Civil Society Institute, with the support of Bread for the World, starts to accept applications for an online training program. If you are an employee of a civil society (non-governmental) organization, student, public servant, or civil activist, then, in parallel with your daily activities, without leaving your workplace or studies, you have the opportunity to deepen your knowledge and skills in the following fields:  1) Participatory budgeting;  2) State procurement.  Training courses are remote and all activities - lectures, discussions, home works are conducted online. The schedule of studies is flexible and participants can set time themselves.  Courses are free, and upon completion, a certificate will be issued.  To fill out the application, visit the link… The deadline for submission of applications is June 10, 2020  Read more…  Source: civilin.org