A group of non-governmental organizations has launched "This Affects You " Campaign against illegal eavesdropping and surveillance. The campaign aims to change the existing practice of eavesdropping and surveillance by law enforcement agencies in Georgia and to bring the law in line with the Georgian Constitution and the best practice of European countries.
At the press conference held on March 14 GYLA voiced its position about the permit issued by the Ministry of Culture and Historic Monuments' Protection to "RMG Gold" for implementing gold mining in Sakdrisi Khachiani territory and gave negative assessment to the Ministry's decision.
As it is known, according to the March 14 decision of the Ministry of Culture and Historic Monuments’ Protection “RMG Gold” LLC became entitled to carry out relevant activities in Sakdirisi Khachiani.
On February 3, 2005, on the very day of death of Zurab Zhvania and Raul Usupov, a number of questions were raised by public about the official findings of investigation (their death was ruled as an accident, gas asphyxiation), to which the law enforcement authorities have not yet provided competent and convincing answers yet. In view of public interest, we believe that the investigation should be conducted in a highly professional and objective manner, without politicizing the case, without the confrontation of political forces, and without multiple announcements that the investigation will be closed in coming days. These are the conditions that need to be met in order to avoid bringing any harm to interests of investigation.
GYLA would like to comment on the statement of the Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia, Mr. Davit Usupashvili and express disapproval of the initiative to amend the Criminal Procedure Code to allow the Prosecution Service of Georgia to institute criminal proceedings against MP, without parliamentary consent, based on the grounds that the Articles 167 and 169 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Georgia are unconstitutional.
Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association and the Unity of Judges of Georgia would like to jointly comment on the meeting held on March 18, 2014, in the High Council of Justice of Georgia and express their disapproval of the HCoJ members completely ignoring the information about alleged pressure against judges in 2005-2006. In particular, the HCoJ disregarded findings of the Committee of Human Rights and Civil Integration referred to it by the parliament of Georgia on December 13, 2013. The document focuses on premature termination of the authority of members of the following Supreme Court members: Merab Turava, Nino Gvenetadze, Tamar Laliashvili and Murman Isaevi.
According to the information released by the Prosecutor’s Office, Mikheil Saakashvili, ex-president of Georgia was summoned to interrogation on March 27 at 13:00. Summoning former or present senior state officials for examination may be caused by legal as well as political aspects, though, GYLA, in view of its mandate, will be limited only to legal findings.
We would like to voice our position about the obligations imposed upon the Georgian National Communications Commission (GNCC) as a result of February 2014 amendments introduced to the Law of Georgia on Electronic Communications. Before April 1, 2014 the GNCC must ensure announcement of the competition for the operator of digital terrestrial broadcasting. In the course of determining terms of competition, GNCC must act in line with the plan approved by Governmental Decree #206 of February 10, 2014.
According to the information released on March 23, 2013 a prisoner, born in 1988 died in # 14 (Geguti) penitentiary at about 8:10. Forensic examination was appointed with a view to investigate the causes of his death, though according to initial findings the defendant committed suicide.
We would like to respond to information released in media, according to which, in the early morning a Member of Parliament, Mr. Nugzar Tsiklauri, was accosted by strangers, which resulted in a physical assault. As Mr. Tsiklauri’s reports they attempted to kidnap him.
