The Coalition for an Independent and Transparent Judiciary is deeply concerned by the legislative amendments on Constitutional Court adopted by the Parliament.  The Coalition considers that the decision of the Parliament is directed not only against the current members of the Constitutional Court and/or specific judges, but these actions intend to paralyze the work of the Constitutional Court and diminish its important role thereby jeopardizing the fundamental values of modern democratic state such as the rule of law, recognition and protection of human rights, separation of powers and providing adequate, effective and impartial constitutional justice.

The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) responds to the judgment of conviction passed by Besik Bugianishvili, a judge of the Criminal Panel of the Tbilisi City Court, in the so-called “cable case” of detained high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Defense and believes that the verdict is unfair, unlawful, and unsubstantiated.

The Georgian Young Lawyers' Association will submit draft amendments to be made to the Rules of Procedure of the Permanent Parliamentary Council on Open and Transparent Governance, which is related to the fulfillment of obligations initiated by GYLA under the Open Parliament Action Plan of 2015-2016. The amendments to the Rules of Procedure have been reviewed by the Parliamentary Council and the Advisory Council, and their recommendations have been taken into consideration when preparing the draft amendments. 

Coalition for Equality reflects upon the restriction of freedom of assembly of LGBT community members and activists on May 17 International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia  (IDAHO) and urges the state to review its ineffective and discriminatory policy.

In the territory adjacent to Precincts No 53 and No 54 of the Zugdidi District, the supporters and representatives (about 20 people) of the electoral subjects have been mobilised since morning.  At about 13:30 p.m., there was a passage of arms between the mobilised people and the representatives of the National Movement. Several dozens of people were involved in the conflict, where the representatives of the National Movement received bodily injuries. Media representatives have also been injured physically.  

 

On May 22, 2016, the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association was observing the by-elections in the districts of Gardabani, Kaspi, Tskaltubo, Ozurgeti, Khobi, Zugdidi and Gldani. 

On May 22, 2016, GYLA monitored by-elections of Sakrebulos in Gardabani, Kaspi, Tskaltubo, Ozurgeti, Khobi, Zugdidi and Gldani districts.