IDPs’ initiative group has applied to GYLA with a view to study and assess recent developments in the government of Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia. Considering the wide public interest (especially from IDPs’ side), we deem it necessary to release a public statement on the issue, after studying the facts of the case.

In particular, following events have taken place in the government of autonomous republic of Abkhazia:

On April 5, 2013 Giorgi Baramia, the head of government of Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia applied to the High Council of Autonomous Republic with request of resignation.  

The Parliament of Georgia reviews MP Koba Davitashvili’s initiative on introducing amendments to the Law of Georgia on Prosecutor’s Office and some other laws, targeting to reform the system of the prosecutor’s office. 

The key issue, that needs to be attained within the framework of the reform, is to ensure political neutrality of the prosecutor’s office. To this effect, removal of the criminal persecution and prosecutorial supervision functions from the Ministry of Justice is a decisive step, nevertheless insufficient.  

We would like to respond to the instances of religious conflicts that took place in the village Samtatskaro, Dedoplistkaro region for the past two weeks, when freedom of religion ensured by the Constitution of Georgia was grossly violated in terms of local Muslim residents. It should be highlighted that undersigned NGOs monitored the developments in the village Samtatskaro on May 31, therefore facts and findings submitted in this statement are underpinned by monitoring results.  

GYLA representatives visited the village Ditsi, territory bordering the occupation line, where they met with local population and law enforcement representatives. As it is known, for the last few days  Russian border guards started installation of barbed wire fences 300 meters away from the occupation zone, to the vicinity of the village.   

Job title:   Project coordinator/ Head of Georgian Media Legal Defense Center

Requirements

On June 7, 2013, GYLA presented "Monitoring of the Introduction of Personal Data Filing System in Georgian Ministries," which details the results of its research into Georgian Ministries’ data filing systems. The report examines the progress of Georgian Ministries in implementing personal data filing systems, as stipulated by the Personal Data Protection Legislation of Georgia. 

GYLA would like to highlight the importance of the June 9th Judicial Conference for the continued development of an independent judiciary in Georgia. This opportunity was created by mitigating the political influence on the judiciary after elections, as well as by the will of state authorities reflected in amendments to the Organic Law of Georgia on Common Courts. Civil society, including GYLA, supported the process from the beginning. We are observing the current developments and out of concern would like to review the amendments to the new law, which have generated much discussion over the past few days.  

Transparency International – Georgia, Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association, the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information, the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy, Georgian Lawyers for Independent Profession and the Human Rights Center react to the 10th extraordinary meeting of the Conference of Judges. 

Beneficiaries of GYLA’s legal aid were not imposed with administrative liability

Lawyer from GYLA’s office in Tbilisi provided a legal assistance to beneficiaries, as a result of which under the decision of Tbilisi City Court’s Board of Administrative cases, the following individuals arrested on May 1, 2013, rally were not imposed with administrative punishment for offences envisaged by the Code of Administrative Offences (petty hooliganism – Article 166, disobeydience to lawful orders of the police – Article 173): A.K., L.A., G.G., M.G., G.K., and L.A. Instead, three of them got off with a verbal warning, while administrative proceedings brought against the remaining three were terminated, as no administrative violation was found.  

With its today’s decision, the Constitutional Court granted GYLA’s constitutional claim filed on behalf of Piruz Vanievi of the village of Khurvaleti, Gori District, and Tristan Mamagulashvili of the village of Dvani, Kareli District. Located in Kareli and Gori districts, their houses were outside the boundries of the territory recognized as occupied by the Georgian authorities. Nevertheless, Tristan Mamagualshvili and Piruz Vanievi could not return to places of their habitual residence and to make use of their property. Following the Russian-Georgian war in 2008 the Government of Georgia lost control of the part of Dvani and Khurvaleti where Vanievi’s and Mamagulashvili’s houses are located.