Today, at the opening of the spring session of the Parliament of Georgia, we would like to remind to the legislative authorities and other stakeholders about procedural gaps that emerged during the last session of the parliament. It is important that future activities of the parliament are in full conformity with the regulations. Further, legislation must provide for high standards for openness of the parliament and for public engagement in the activities of the parliament. 

To: Mr. Archil Khabadze

Adjara A/R Government  

GYLA continues publishing information about spending of funds from the reserve funds envisaged by the stage budget of Georgia. This time, we would like to provide public with information about spending from the Reserve Fund of the Government of Georgia following the 2012 parliamentary elections.  

Since 2012 GYLA has been implementing a coalition project Identification of Cases of Elite Corruption and Government Pressure on Business in Georgia. On February 7, 2012, GYLA held a presentation of the following two researches in frames of the project – Tbilisi City Hall Project Kiosks Throughout the City and the Overview of Activities of Non-Profit (Non-Commercial) Legal Persons Founded by Local Self-Governments. 

Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) responds to the controversy about the president’s annual address in the parliament. During yesterday’s sitting of the bureau of the parliament the Speaker of the Parliament explained the following: “The annual report of the President, scheduled in the Parliament for tomorrow, was postponed. The President will have opportunity to exercise his right under the Constitution; however, it is the position of the majority to let it happen after the appropriate decision will be made concerning the Constitutional changes or the president and his team will clearly and expressly articulate their position about giving back to the parliament the right that it is entitled to.” 

The International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy, Transparency International – Georgia, Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association and the Open Society – Georgia Foundation condemn the acts of violence during protest rally outside the National Library. 

Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) and Transparency International Georgia released monitoring report of the High Council of Justice. The report covers the period of March-December 2012, when monitoring was carried out on judges’ appointments, their transfers, disciplinary proceedings and transparency of activities of the High Council of Justice.  

On February 11, 2013, Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association held presentation of the report of monitoring pre-election environment, the Election Day and the post-election period. The report covers the results of monitoring from August 1 through October 20, 2012 (GYLA started monitoring of pre-election processes much earlier, on January 1, 2012, and evaluated the pre-election environment in two interim reports).  

1. With the help of GYLA, a citizen was received pecuniary compensation 
With legal aid provided by GYLA’s lawyer, Tbilisi City Court’s Board of Civil Cases granted the claim of T.L. seeking pecuniary compensation pursuant to the Law of Georgia on the Recognition of Status as a Victim of Political Repression for Georgia Citizens and Social Protection for the Oppressed. The claim was granted in part by court by ordering the Ministry of Finance of Georgia to award T.L. with a combined pecuniary compensation of GEL 500.  

This time, important problems were identified in Gurjaani Municipality , where, apparently, public servants are dismissed by exerting pressure openly or in secret. Newly appointed officials are acting ultra vires, disregarding stipulations of law.