On March 27, 2018,  Georgian Young Lawyers' Association presented the monitoring summary report of the 2017 local self-government elections at the presentation. The report covers results of the monitoring carried out during June 1 to November 19, 2017 and describes in detail the violations revealed during the pre-election campaign, as well on the voting day and during vote tabulation. 

GYLA to Study the Decisions to Move Trees

The Coalition for an Independent and Transparent Judiciary is concerned by the recently publicized allegations of sexual harassment. The Coalition considers sexual harassment of women in the workplace and other environments unacceptable and believes that protection from gender-based violence is a fundamental human right. The Coalition expresses its solidarity with all women who have experienced sexual harassment from any person, and considers that their rights must be protected by effective legal mechanisms. To this end, it is important to review and study these cases in relevant fora.

The Supreme Court upheld the 12 July 2017 ruling of Tbilisi Appellate Court in favor of Kamran Mamedov in the case against the LEPL International Education Center. The plaintiff was represented by GYLA in court.

The Coalition for an Independent and Transparent Judiciary submitted legislative proposal to the Parliament of Georgia. The proposal aims at improvement of the grounds for disciplinary liability of judges and reforming the institution of an Independent Inspector.

At the March 26 session of the High Council of Justice (HCOJ), judge-member Sergo Metopishvili announced that he plans to put forward an initiative for closing the HCOJ sessions to the public on the official agenda. We believe the judge-member’s initiative contradicts both the law and the principles of democratic governance. Such initiatives can only be damaging to the transparency of the HCOJ’s work, the possibility of voicing dissent at the HCOJ, and the reputation of the judiciary.

Georgian Parliament approved amendments to the Constitution with its third hearing On March 23, 2018.                                                                                                                  As known, a new edition of the Constitution was introduced to the Parliament for consideration, along with initiating constitutional amendments (From the Preamble – including transitional provisions). A number of editorial, technical and content changes were made running parallel with the process.