Position title: National experts on social science research (short-term)

Contract Period: October - December 2016

Contract Days (indicative): 6-13 days per researcher

Start Date: 28 October 2016 

The member organizations of the Coalition for Equality respond to the recent developments in the village of Mokhe (Adigeni Municipality) and call on the Government to defend the freedom of religion quickly and effectively. 

On 18 October of the current year, the State Audit Office published a report regarding the draft law on the State Budget of Georgia for 2017. The part of the report related to legal entities of public law and non-entrepreneurial (non-commercial) legal entities. The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association finds the information provided in the report of the State Audit Office to be of concern, namely, the information in the draft State Budget for 2017 with regard to legal entities of public law and non-entrepreneurial (non-commercial) legal entities.

The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association has actively observed the elections of legislative, executive and local government bodies since its founding (in 1994), trying to contribute to the conduct of elections in a calm and fair environment and to the steadfast observance of the Georgian legislation during electoral processes. 

A working meeting of the Anti-Corruption Network (ACN) of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) was held in Paris, France, on 14-16 September 2016, where the monitoring report on the fourth round of implementation of anti-corruption reforms in Georgia was discussed and adopted. Both governmental and non-governmental representatives participated in the working meeting.

The voting process is mainly proceeding in a quiet environment. Almost all the polling stations where the GYLA was observing the opening procedures were ready to receive the first voter on time. The said polling stations were equipped with relevant election materials. It should be noted that representatives of the MIA are mobilized in the area adjacent to the polling stations. Considering the experience of October 8, it is reasonable to take the said measures for preventive purposes.        

The voting at the polling stations has completed, and the processes of counting of votes and tabulation of results are underway. At this point, a large number of voters are gathered within the outer perimeter of precinct no. 48 in Marneuli and precincts no. 38, 108, and 79 of Zugdidi, which has a peaceful character. The police are also present near the polling stations. We call upon the political subjects and their supporters to wait for the vote count and tabulation of results quietly.

During the last few days, the public learned about the incidents that took place at several workplaces, namely, at the construction sites and the coal mining plant and resulted in the death of three people,[1] which apart from the need for effective investigation, also calls for the immediate review of the labour safety policy.

[1] On October 7, the employee of the Ventilation and Safety Service, Temur Kakauridze died in Tkibuli, Mindeli mine, source:  http://liberali.ge/news/view/25231/meshakhteebma-7-oqtombers-shakhtashi-gardatsvlili-tanamshromeli-ipoves; On October 19, 26 years-old worker Temur Gurgenashvili died during construction works, on October 20,, another worker from the construction on Khizanishvili also died during work; source: http://netgazeti.ge/news/149160/; 

We the below signatories express our concern about the incident that occurred in Akhaltsikhe on October 27 and urge the investigating authorities to conduct a prompt, objective and impartial investigation and take all applicable legal measures. Reports about the Governor’s possible involvement in the incident is especially alarming.