Tbilisi. The Coalition for an Independent and Transparent Judiciary publishes an evaluation of staffing a working group by the Legal Committee. “The Coalition calls on the Committee to review its decision, allow the working group functionally evaluate candidates nominated by the High Council of Justice, reduce the quota of Members of Parliament, ensure involvement of representatives of the civil society organization, while make the expert part more representative”, - is noted in the statement. Read more… Source: www.transparency.ge

Tbilisi. Today, “Green Alternative”, a civil society organization of the “Open Society Georgia Foundation” conducted a presentation of the study – “Assessment of opportunity for creation of a protected area in Idliani, Khaishi, Chuberi and Nakra communities of Upper Svaneti”. The study reviews opportunities for creation of a protected area in Idliani, Khaishi, Chuberi and Nakra territories of Upper Svaneti; assesses the extent to which existing environmental, social and economic problems can be resolved through the protected area; besides, defines which category of a protected area would be the most acceptable to create from an environmental, social and economic point of view. The study has been prepared within the framework of the ACCESS project of the East-West Management Institute (EWMI) and is implemented by Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC). Read more… Source:https://emc.org.ge

Mtskheta-Mtianeti. Members from the International Women’s Association Georgia visited the EU-supported Green Camp for Young Leaders and Innovators at Bulachauri Green Center.  During the meeting, the invited guests shared their experiences with the camp participants and discussed topics such as environmental issues, technologies, education and career development. The Green Camp participants presented their community problems and future plans for solving them. IWA member, Mrs. Mette Hartzell, spouse of Carl Hartzell, EU Ambassador to Georgia, addressed the camp participants and read a letter addressed by the Ambassador to the camp participants.  Read more… Source: The web-page of the organization

Tbilisi. The Public Defender's Office organized a training on issues relating to international refugee protection and security. The training was attended by representatives of the Public Defender's Office, Ministry of Internal Affairs, State Security Service and Regional Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in the South Caucasus. The two-day meeting highlighted the importance of cooperation between the Public Defender's Office and relevant state agencies in improving the rights situation of aliens, including asylum seekers and internationally protected persons. Read more… Source: The web-page of the organization

Tbilisi. Today, the Georgian Young Lawyers Association and Transparency International – Georgia presented the seventh monitoring report of the High Council of Justice of Georgia of the year 2018.  The monitoring report assesses the legislation regulating the activities of the Council and the activity of the Council while selecting/appointing judges, transparency of the Council activity, a rule and practice of appointing the chairperson of the court and disciplinary liability of judges.  Read more… Source: The web-page of the organization

Tbilisi. “Article 42 of the Constitution” calls on the judicial authority to publicize decisions (judgments) of candidates for members of the Supreme Court. “On the background of the ruling team announcing establishment of “unprecedentedly transparent and open procedures” for selecting judges of the Supreme Court and, besides, making statements that the parliamentary majority would “monitor those candidates under a microscope”, all these procedures are devoid of real substance without studying professional experience of the candidates. Decisions made by judges are the best indicators of their competence and conscientiousness”, - is noted in the statement released by the organization, - “Respectively, we call on the judicial authority to publicize previously made decisions of candidates for judges and make them available for both the Parliament and general public within the shortest possible time”. Read more… Source:The website of the organization

Tbilisi. Transparency International - Georgia considers that during actions, taking place after June 20, citizens of Georgia, including Members of Parliament of Georgia, journalists and representatives of the non-parliamentary opposition, have been deprived the right to enter the building of the Parliament of Georgia a number of times. “Openness and transparency of the Parliament are essential for democratic development of the country. It is important for the Parliament of Georgia to maintain those achievements of openness and transparency, which indicate high standards and have gained international recognition”, - is noted in the statement released by the organization, - “We call on the Open Governance Permanent Parliamentary Council, within the framework of parliamentary openness and transparent governance monitoring at the Parliament, to study and evaluate facts of prohibition on entry of citizens and Members of Parliament into the Parliament building within the period after June 20”. Read more… Source: The website of the organization

Tbilisi. The Public Defender of Georgia found age discrimination against the Ardi insurance company, as the company refused to grant travel insurance to A. G. (born in 1937) and S.Kh. (born in 1943).  The Public Defender indicates in her recommendation that the written explanation provided to the applicants is based on stereotypes about older people. In addition, similar blanket approach of insurance companies may make it impossible for older persons to have access to travel insurance, which may be seen as interference with the right to freedom of movement.  Read more… Source: The web-page of the organization

Tbilisi. The Human Rights Center calls on the City Court to not restrict the lawyer of Zaza Saralidze from attending trials. “At the trial, carried out on September 12, where Zaza Saralidze was interrogated as a witness, the court did not consider a request of the victim and did not allow his lawyer to attend the hearing. Consequently, the lawyer of the Human Rights Center was not given the possibility to participate in the interrogation of Zaza Saralidze, the victim under his protection. As a matter of fact, at every stage of proceedings in regard to mentioned criminal case, this lawyer represented the victim both at various state agencies and in court”, - is noted in the statement released by the organization, - “The Human Rights Center calls on the Tbilisi City Court to ensure protection of rights of the victim in accordance with current legislation of Georgia, as well as with international standards, and to not restrict the lawyer of the victim from attending further trials”. Read more… Source: The website of the organization in a social network

Tbilisi. EU is inviting civil society organizations to two consultation events on 17 September at Republic Events Hall. “Eastern Partnership celebrates its 10-year anniversary this year and as 2020 is approaching it’s important to look at its achievements, challenges and reflect on its future strategic direction”, - Is mentioned in the information of EU. First consultation meeting on future of the EaP will start at 10:00. In case you are interested please complete the online registration form by 13 September 2019 here: https://www.eap-events.eu/eap-future Second consultation meeting on the implementation of Association Agreement and EU’s roadmap for engagement to civil society will start at 14:00. For registration please contact Natia Antelava (natia.antelava@eeas.europa.eu) by providing the name and contact details of the participants by 13 September. Read more…  Source: The page of the organization

Tbilisi. On 10-11 September 2019, training was held for representatives of the Public Defender’s Office, state agencies and NGOs.  In the training were considered the basics of statelessness, European standards and framework of prevention and reduction, importance of procedures for determining the status and the best practices of European countries.  Read more… Source: The web-page of the organization

The web portal www.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 Coalition for an Independent and Transparent Judiciary appraises the process of selection of candidates for judges of the Supreme Court at the High Council of Justice.  “Openness and public format of the interview process must be appraised unequivocally positively, however, the competition itself was not representative in terms of participation of various legal professions. Passivity of bar association and academic community was particularly noticeable. This fact was allegedly caused by corporatism of the judicial system, isolation, unfavorable circumstances for conscientious judges existing within the judiciary”, - is stated in the appraisal.  Read more… Source:coalition.ge

Kvemo Kartlli. In the frame of the project ” Promoting new women leaders and ‘invisible women’ human rights activists” The Human Rights House Tbilisi presents refugee from Abkhazia Luda Salia.  26 years have passed since Luda Salia left her home along with Abkhazia after Sokhumi fell. Now she protests Russian occupation from the village of Khurvaleti in Gori Municipality. Here, next to the barbed wire fences she has managed to open a shelter for the elderly.  Rad more… Source: The web-site of the organization

Tbilisi. The Public Defender terms segregation of students by University of Georgia according to their academic performance as discriminatory.  „According to the practice of the University of Georgia, students with less than 2 points are not allowed to choose all the proposed groups and hours during the registration period, while no similar restriction apply to students with higher points. Such a division among first-semester students is based on the results of the Unified National Exams. According to the University, the purpose of such a division is to improve the quality of education“, - Mentions the Public defender, - “The Public Defender recommended the University of Georgia to abolish the differentiated groups at all stages of education and in all departments, in particular the restrictions relating to the students’ opportunity to choose courses regardless of their GPA (or results of the Unified National Exams in case of first-semester students)”.  Read more… Source: The web-page of the organization

Tbilisi. Humanrights.ge published a brochure “Stories of Illegal Detentions along the Occupation Line in Georgia”.  “This brochure aims to raise awareness regarding the problems and human rights violations ongoing in the occupied territories of Georgia, Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia. The brochure includes the real stories told by the individuals who have been the victims of illegal detention and kidnapping by the representatives of the Russian Federation in recent years”, - Is mentioned in the preface of the brochure.  Read more… Source: humanrights.ge

Tbilisi. Transparency International Georgia publishes the short analysis of 6-month performance report of Georgia’s 2019 state budget. “The surplus in budget Receipts, underspending in budget Expenditure and keeping the budget remainder largely unspent, allowed the Government to save a certain amount of money, which should not be fully spent during the second half of the year. The Government should keep the budget deficit low in the fourth quarter since it is important for the stability of inflation rate and GEL exchange rate”, is noted in the statement.  Read more… Source: www.transparency.ge

Tbilisi. According to information of the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI), in 2019 (January-July) the number of crimes has increased by 17.23%.  “In 2019, there has also been observed a negative trend in terms of solving crimes, the indicator of which has deteriorated by approximately 4% in comparison with 2018. Respectively, even in the circumstances of equal methodology and accountability, the number of crimes continues to increase, while the indicators of solving them – to decrease”, - is stated on the website of the organization.  Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. The Council of the Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics demands an investigation into the case related to the editor of “Guriis Moambe”.  “On September 9, Tea Ioseliani, the editor of “Guriis Moambe”, stated that she had been threatened by a stranger in a social network with killing her children. The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics addresses the Ministry of Internal Affairs urging to investigate the case related to Tea Ioseliani in a timely manner, provide public with information about the progress as well as results of the investigation, and raise the issue of liability of people concerned in case the fact of the crime is confirmed”.  Read more… Source: The website of the organization

Tbilisi. Part of Georgian Civil Society Organization’s address to the International Community. “We, the undersigned representatives of the civil society organizations of Georgia would like to address the friends of Georgia and share with you our concerns with regards to the quality of democracy, media and political freedoms, corruption and eventual state capture that we are facing today”, - is mentioned in the statement, - “We wanted to request your continued interest and engagement with Georgian affairs, with the aim to pressure the leadership of the country to bring about the democratic change which would be consistent with Georgia’s declared goal of joining European Union and NATO”. Read more… Source: www.gdi.ge

Tbilisi. Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) appraises a government program presented by the new Prime Minister of Georgia to the parliament of the country. “The text of the program, among others, does not respond to the deep crisis revealed in the country within recent months that is connected with democratic functioning of state institutions and the political system. In these circumstances, the government program is more technical in its meaning and cannot carry the real essence of rational political review and parliamentary control in this process”, - is stated in the appraisal.  Read more… Source: The website of the organization

Tbilisi. Civil society organizations call on members of parliament to not support the candidacy of Giorgi Gakharia.  “We consider that the parliament has to refrain from appointing Gakharia to the position of a head of highest body of executive government at least until the nature and extent of responsibility of the minister in regard to the violent dissolution of the June 20-21 rally is clearly revealed”, - is noted in the joint statement.  Read more… Source: gyla.ge