In December 18, 2012 Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association elected its new chairman, Kakha Kozhoridze.
According to GYLA’s Statute, the chairman is elected at the first session of the board. The same person is entitled to be elected on the position during the three consecutive terms only.On December 19, 2012, in the frames of “the Human Rights’ Week”, the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association held presentation of the research “Media Business in Georgia”.
Within the scope of the research, Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association studied the trends of media business development in Georgia. GYLA considers that media condition is among hot and important issues in the country. It should be noted that media is a field bearing two major functions: firstly, it is a mechanism ensuring realization of the right to expression in the society, whilst it is also considered to be one of the interesting and attractive businesses throughout the world.GYLA releases statement on the swiftness of activity of the legislative branch during the last week and on insufficient access to information thereon. In view of this, it calls on the Parliament to conduct the legislative process with observance of stipulations envisaged in the Regulation.
The main deficiency of 2008-2012 Parliament was rapidity of its activity and insufficient transparency of the process which on the one hand violated legislative requirements and on the other hand decreased civil society involvement in the process, in certain cases even made it absolutely impossible.GYLA reacts over again on the information released by mass media in terms of developments in local self-governing bodies for the past period. On December 20, 2012 GYLA held a press conference on the issue.
Following 2012 parliamentary elections, some concerns have been noticed in the regions in terms of change of high officials of local self-governing bodies (Gamgeoba, local council). According to the disseminated information, some modifications are normal, while there are certain instances when substitution of power is implemented under secret or clear pressure. In addition, some newly appointed high officials exceed their authority, thus making negative influence and straining situation in the country.On December 19, 2012 it was reported on the fact of pressure on judge assistant by security officers with a view to get some information from her and receive consent on cooperation.
Today is the deadline for applications for the director of the Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB). We have repeatedly raised concerns about the independence and managerial problems at GPB. We believe that a strong and politically independent Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) can only become a reality if its Board appoints the best qualified candidate as broadcaster's new executive director. The best candidate should be selected based on experience, qualification and the vision he or she offers for a new GPB, not based on loyalty to any political group or network.
On October 21, 2012, the Georgian National Communications Commission (GNCC) concluded its administrative proceedings over claim filed by GYLA.
In its decision, the GNCC explained procedures for broadcasting public service announcement, ordered the Public Broadcaster to examine the September 28, 2012 application of GYLA and issued warning against the broadcaster in the form of a sanction.On November 22, 2012, Merab Ratishvili released a statement addressed to the Human Rights Committee and members of the working group. He is requesting his name be removed from the list of political prisoners and his case be reassessed separately. Further, Ratishvili has also applied the Human Rights Center, Article 42 of the Constitution and Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association with a request to raise his case separately before the Human Rights Committee for its consideration.
Spring session of the Parliament of
Georgia opened today, on February 1 and will close on January 24. At the spring session, the Parliament will discuss several significant draft laws, including:
1. Draft law on amendments and supplements to the law of Georgia on broadcasting;
2. Charter of Freedom
3. Draft law on supplements to the Law on occupied territories of Georgia.
GYLA has already submitted its initial legal opinions about the supplements and amendments to the law of Georgia on broadcasting, and supplements to the law on occupied territories of Georgia to the Parliament of Georgia, and it has applied to the Speaker of the Parliament with a letter regarding the Charter of Freedom.
GYLA has been actively involved in the process of legal drafting, and in frames of its
