On January 23, 2015 GYLA, in cooperation with partner organizations European Human Rights Advocacy Center (EHRAC) and Partnership for Human Rights filed Salome Jorbenadze’s case to ECtHR. Salome Jorbenadze, 19 years old, was killed in the park in Zestaphoni on June 25, 2014. 

A few days ago the whole country was shocked by the death of Iuri Vazagashvili, who died as a result of an explosion while visiting his son’s grave. Iuri Vazagashvili was the father of Zurab Vazagashili, who was killed in a special operation in 2006. We once again express deep regret and our condolences to the family of the deceased. The Prosecutor’s Office launched an investigation under Article 109 of the Criminal Code, entailing premeditated murder with aggravating factors.

Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association carried out monitoring of interview process at the  attestations and competitions implemented for civil servants of local self-government bodies.  GYLA, though its representatives, monitored interview process of nine attestation-competition commissions in November and December, 2014.
Monitoring aimed to promote publicity, impartiality and transparency of interview process, as well as to protect rights and legitimate interests of participants of attestations and competitions.
 

In a few days, the Parliament of Georgia plans to discuss the draft on State Secret at the second reading. The author of the draft is the inter-agency working ground and the initiator - MP Irakli Sesiashvili. The draft intends to replace its predecessor legislative act adopted nearly 20 years ago in 1996. The proposed version mostly repeats the provisions and structure of the applicable law, fails to meet the international standards and has number of deficiencies. We consider adoption of the draft inadmissible until the gaps are corrected.   

Panorama Tbilisi Project which is supposed to be implemented in the historic part of Tbilisi – on the Sololaki ridge, territory of Freedom and Erekle squares, became topical for the last time. 
Notwithstanding number of TV broadcasts, programs or meeting-discussions, public interest to the issue remains great. The fact that 16 organizations and more that 3900 individuals have joined the petition prepared for the project is one of the demonstrations of great interest. Number of individuals willing to joint the petition increases even more.
 

As it is known to the public, on December 25, 2014, the parliament of Georgia has expressed its support towards creation of the temporary investigative commission under the parliament to examine the events relating to the Sakdrisi-Kachaghiani mine. The commission was tasked to examine the actions of the officials of the Ministry of Culture and Monument Protection of Georgia, as well as the National Agency of the Culture Protection, relating to Sakdrisi-Kachaghiani (among others, to examine the decision to strip the site of its status and the issue of conducting mining works by the company “RMG Gold” at the territory of the site).

 With assistance from GYLA, the Ministry of Education of Georgia became obliged to cover expenses for special medical nurse service for a disabled individual and to pay monthly allowance

For the past several months some 20 individuals applied to GYLA and reported about unlawful and abusive conduct of police officers. Namely, some of GYLA’s beneficiaries allege that police officers have abused them verbally and physically in the course of arrest and after detention, while others report about police putting narcotics and firearms to them.

1. GYLA’s lawyers continue provision of legal aid to the victims of domestic violence

With assistance from GYLA’s Tbilisi and Kutaisi offices the court issued protective order to the victims of domestic violence and in both cases the respondent was prohibited to have any relationship, including a phone contact, with an applicant.

On March 13, 2015 GYLA, on behalf of one IDP applied to the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Accommodation and Refugees of Georgia and requested partial invalidation of the normative acts which caused direct discrimination of a group of IDPs under the sign of citizenship.