Tbilisi. The public defender of Georgia publishes the survey report: Assessment to the needs of women and girls with disabilities and the state of protection of their rights in Georgia. “According to the research, the protection of the rights of women and girls with disabilities, at the policy level, is not a priority. Some positive changes, which are reflected in the creation of appropriate regulations or programs to improve the standards of protection of the rights of persons with disabilities, can not be considered as an effective way to protect the rights of women and girls with disabilities. These approaches and programs fail to see the needs of women and girls with disabilities, which for the most part may differ from the needs of men with disabilities. The state does not have a systemic vision of how to improve the protection of the rights of women and girls with disabilities in all areas of life”. This publication was prepared by the Public Defender's Office of Georgia with the support of UN Women in the framework of the project “Good Governance for Gender Equality in Georgia generously funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. Transparency International Georgia (TI Georgia) publishes the blogpost: Companies of a member of the Tskaltubo City Council obtain public procurement contracts worth GEL 63 million. The organization revealed that companies of a member of the Tskaltubo City Council, Jeiran Omanadze have received a total of GEL 63 039 857 through 100 tenders and 11 simplified public procurements since 2013. “Jeiran Omanadze is also a political donor – he and his company, Rostverki Ltd, donated GEL 135 000 to the Georgian Dream party in the years 2017-2021. Jeiran Omanidze, who is a majoritarian member of the Tskaltubo City Council from the Gvishtibi community and holds the position of the Deputy Chairperson of the Georgian Dream faction, is also violating the requirements of the Law on Conflict of Interest and Corruption in Public Service”.  Transparency International Georgia calls on and requests: The Anti-Corruption Agency of the State Security Service to study the public procurements of J and J Ltd and Rostverki Ltd and to find out about possible corrupt deals that allegedly took place between the companies and the contracting authorities; The Civil Service Bureau to study the asset declaration of Jeiran Omanadze and to respond in a relevant manner. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

On March 19, 2022, the Rondell Foundation, with the support of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) launched a training program for the youth wing of political parties aimed at promoting the development of Georgian political institutions. Within the framework of the program, representatives of the political parties and political movements will undergo a 6-month training course, which will cover current issues of domestic and foreign policy. It is noteworthy that the Rondeli Foundation, with the support of various donors, has been implementing the training program for youth wings of political parties since 2008. This is the eleventh cohort of the training program. Read more… Source: the organization’s page on the 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...

Adjara. According to the information of the TI Georgia, from 58 problems advocated by Transparency International Georgia’s Committees of Concerned Citizens (CCCs) to six municipalities (Batumi, Kobuleti, Khelvachauri, Shuakhevi, Khulo) of Adjara region, 31 were resolved. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. Civil Society Organization’s release the joint statement and consider that Georgia should Firmly stand with the West. “Our country was one of the first victims of Russia’s aggression and expansionism, for which we paid a high price of Georgian lives. Along with this, now there is a historic opportunity for Georgia to realize a dear wish of many generations to become a full-fledged member of the Western world, as indicated in our Constitution. Therefore, there should be no second thought regarding the position of the country—we should unambiguously stand with the West. No other choice will ever be accepted by the Georgian society! Unfortunately, the steps taken by the government, their obscure and inconsistent rhetoric, puts a question mark over Georgia as a reliable and loyal partner for the West". In order for the strategic interests of Georgia to be clearly and fully stated and accomplished, organizations consider the following steps should be taken… Read more… Source: isfed.ge

Tbilisi. According to the information of the IDFI in March 2022, Kosovo joined the Transparent Public Procurement Rating as the 42nd country to be assessed within the framework of IDFI’s international initiative. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. The Social Justice Center publishes the statement: Georgia falling short of its obligations regarding the judicial reform under the EU Association Agenda. “On March 3, during the numerous protests in Tbilisi, alongside Ukraine the Georgian government issued an official request of membership to the European Union. However, a mere application cannot be a guarantee of success. Among the obligations under the Association Agreement, the thematic direction of the rule of law, in particular the reform of the judiciary has a vital place. Review of the EU membership application is a complex and lengthy process, which examines the state of fulfillment of the country's international obligations and unwavering respect for the core values of the organization. Despite the statement made, the recent developments in EU-Georgia relations show that the Georgian government is not committed to its stated goals of EU membership, which is primarily reflected in the non-fulfillment of the Association Agenda adopted in 2014. The implementation of the Association Agenda is crucial for Georgia's progress in building democracy, strengthening its institutions and integrating with European structures”, is noted in the statement. Read more… Source: socialjustice.org.ge

Tbilisi. In connection with the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, on March 21, the Center for Tolerance and Diversity (TDI) publishes a study. 'Racial Profiling in Georgia. Existing policies and practices of the police system toward ethnic minorities and migrants', - is the title of the study. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. 45 employees of the Service Agency and the Patrol Police Unified Service Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs will learn how to deliver services to persons with physical, hearing and visual impairments. The initiative is implemented by Innovations and Reforms Center with assistance from UNDP and the British Government as part of their wider programme to support the public administration reform in Georgia. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. UN Women, in partnership with the Civil Service Bureau (CSB), conducted a training. The goal of the training was to strengthen the capacity of the Civil Service Bureau staff on sexual harassment issues. The initiative is supported within the framework of the “Good Governance for Gender Equality in Georgia” project generously funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. MAC Georgia is pleased to share with you information about Down Syndrome. “You can find much needed resources about various disabilities on Sheaghe. Sheaghe is designed to place information about rehabilitation and support services into the hands of thousands of parents, care providers, and persons with disabilities. It’s a free online database that allows people to search for services in and around their community, city, or region in Georgia”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Adjara. Transparency International Georgia publishes the blogpost: Monopolistic position of Adjarganateba and Ganateba – companies with links to the ruling party – in the public procurements of the municipalities of Adjara. “TI Georgia revealed the municipal procurements tailored to Adjarganateba and the risks of corruption in 2019. In this study, we noted that in the years 2011-2019, the company had received GEL 26,523,383, including 82% of the amount (GEL 21,744,016) received from non-competitive and simplified procurements. Since the publication of the study, the company has obtained 17 more electronic procurement contracts, including 14 contracts obtained without competition and 1 – by means of disqualification of a competitor by the contracting authority. As a result, the company has received GEL 6,614,077 (more than 90% of this amount – GEL 6,002,006 – without competition and by means of disqualification of competitors)”. The organization calls on the Anti-Corruption Agency of the State Security Service to launch an inquiry into those procurements of Batumi, Kobuleti, and Khelvachauri that were won by the companies Adjarganateba and Ganateba without competition and by means of disqualification of competitors and to make the results of the inquiry known to the public in a timely and comprehensive manner. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. Rondeli Foundation stands in solidarity with alumni and partners who are against promoting Kremlin's nondemocratic policy. “There is no place for Russian-backed extremist groups in Georgia. Participants of our educational programs are protesting the opening of Alt Info offices around the country. Euro-integration, peace and security is the choice of Georgian Youth”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. On March 21 Nowruz Bayram is celebrated in Georgia like many other countries.  “I congratulate our fellow citizens on the Nowruz Bayram holiday and share with them the joy of this day. I wish you the victory of warmth over cold, light over darkness, life over death, both in your personal life and all over the world. We all need this victory especially today”. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. Georgian Young Lawyers Association believes that the initiation of this bill by the Georgian Dream clearly indicates their attempt of political retaliation against the President and the leverage in the hands of the ruling party - to achieve their party goals by amending the law. GYLA calls on the Parliament of Georgia not to support the adoption of the initiated bill and not to allow the legislation to be adjusted to party interests. The organization also calls on the ruling party to stop using the mechanism of amending the legislation for arbitrary, narrow political purposes, which serves as a personal retaliation against the President of Georgia. Read more… Source: gyla.ge

Tbilisi. Human Rights Center is alarmed at the recent frequent facts of assault in social network against the family members of human rights defender Vitaly Safarov, who was killed based on ethnic motives. “Recently, owners of various fake or real profiles in the social network Facebook have been intensively publishing posts containing fascist and xenophobic, hate speech and intimidating texts against the family members of Vitaly Safarov as well as against the Jewish people… In this light, it is essential that law enforcement bodies immediately, impartially and comprehensively investigated the facts of assault on the family members of Safarov and all other similar cases in order to prevent similar incidents in future. It is important that the State acknowledged the need to implement not only negative but positive responsibilities too as well as its role in the eradication of the crimes, which creates threat to the pluralism and equality in the society, development of democratic and safe environment in the country. It is important that the Government made the criminal law policy more severe towards similar unlawful and violent actions and establish categorical approach to them because the existing weak policy has already contributed to the empowerment of xenophobic, fascist groups and hate speech that cannot prevent similar incidents in future”, is noted in the address. Read more… Source: www.hrc.ge

Imereti. Local Democracy Agency Georgia, in the framework of the project "Civil Society STAR Initiative", hold another meeting of the youth club in Baghdati municipality. “The speaker - Ketevan Kukhianidze conducted a seminar on the e-participation and democracy, opportunities for citizen involvement in the decision-making process. The workshop included hands-on exercises and small presentation. The club was established by LDA Georgia within the framework of the project "Civil Society STAR Initiative," with the support of the European Union and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. The civic activist Samira Bayramova has become the victim of violent threats by pro-Russian violent criminal group Alt-info.  Tolerance and Diversity Institute expresses its full support and solidarity towards Samira Bayramova and all citizens, activists and journalists who have become victims of pro-Russian violent group Alt-info. TDI calls on the government of Georgia to: Immediately investigate and prevent each threat against Samira Bayramova and other activists. To prevent the activities of the criminal group Alt-info and to bring their leaders to criminal justice. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Imereti. On March 15, Local Democracy Agency Georgia participated in a volunteer forum. „The participants of the forum got acquainted with the activities of the organization and the experience gained so far, the opportunities for volunteering and future cooperation. At the forum, LDA Georgia presented information resources, books, brochures and branded materials created within the framework of various projects and campaigns in recent years“. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. Georgian Civil Society Organizations express their readiness to be actively involved in the Europeanization process. “We believe that deepening cooperation with the European Union and commencing the process of accession will create preconditions for a stronger democracy, greater human rights protections and social benefits, and increased security for Georgia. The ongoing war in Ukraine has revealed the necessity of the Europeanization process, not only for Georgia’s political, legal, and social development but also in terms of the security of our country”. Civil Society organizations propose the Georgian government to take 10 steps on the road to EU membership. Read more… Source: isfed.ge

Tbilisi. According to the information of the Transparency International Georgia, My Town LLC and sole entrepreneur Shorena Tabagari, who are linked to the former Head of the Infrastructure Service of the Borjomi City Hall, have received GEL 4,117,864 from 68 public procurements in the years 2014-2021. Out of this, they received GEL 2,162,992 (52% of the total amount) without competition and by means of disqualification of competitors. “TI Georgia calls on the Anti-Corruption Agency of the State Security Service to study the public procurements of My Town LLC and sole entrepreneur Shorena Tabagari and to find out whether or not corrupt deals took place between them and the contracting authorities, as well as to study whether or not the state-owned land plot with an area of 109 sq. m. adjacent to 14 Rustaveli Street in Borjomi was alienated by means of a corrupt deal”. Read more… Source: transparency.ge