On January 27, 2020, the Public Defender of Georgia found that Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University and Akaki Tsereteli Batumi Public Library discriminated against Identoba on the ground of sexual orientation and activity.
Identoba is an NGO working on LGBT + issues, which was planning a public lecture on May 18, 2019, entitled "May 17 - The Illusion of Freedom". On April 23, 2019, Identoba applied to the Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University with the request to allocate space. On the previous eve of the lecture (May 17, 23:00), Batumi Resource Center manager of Identoba received the message that the renovation works had been planned at the university so they would not allow the lecture-hall and the learning process at the university would be interrupted.
After the refusal from Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University, the representative of Identoba applied to the Akaki Tsereteli Batumi Public Library which initially agreed to allocate the space for meeting, however, they were later told that the allocation of space was not agreed with the library administration. The library director was attended the meeting who said, "We don't care about this narrow group and we don't serve them and if the university refused "this narrow group," it could also refuse it.
On May 30, 2019, Identoba applied to the Public Defender of Georgia with the assistance of the Georgian Young Lawyer's Association on the establishment of discrimination fact on the basis of sexual orientation and activity in relation to LEPL Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University and (Non-profit) entity-Akaki Thereteli Batumi Public Library.
On January 27, 2020, the Public Defender of Georgia issued a recommendation stating that LEPL Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University and (Non-profit) entity-Akaki Thereteli Batumi Public Library had committed direct discrimination against Identoba on the basis of sexual orientation and activity. The recommendation states that the respondent organizations did not take proper care of the planned event and did not try to assist the applicant to give the lecture.
The Public Defender of Georgia made a recommendation to LEPL Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University and (Non-profit) entity-Akaki Tsereteli Batumi Public Library to:
Develop an internal document on non-discrimination and prevention policies;
Conduct future activities in accordance with the principle of equality. To assist the creation of a tolerant environment for the LGBT + community and other vulnerable groups.
The Georgian Young Lawyers' Association has been proceeding the case with the support of USAID/PROLoG.