While “Georgian Dream” continues to entrench its control over Georgia’s public institutions and state resources, the country’s anti-corruption mechanisms are being repurposed not to hold those in power accountable, but to target independent civil society organizations in Georgia. Independent monitoring reveals that since 2013, companies linked to “Georgian Dream’s” officials and the party’s founder, Bidzina …

The “Georgian Dream”, acting through the Anti-Corruption Bureau of Razden Kuprashvili, has started a new stage of repressive enforcement of laws restricting civil society, this time against up to 30 Georgian civil society organizations, including the signatory ones. The actions of the Anti-Corruption Bureau are part of a unified process of persecution and pressure on …

Equality Movement (EM), Tbilisi Pride and Women’s Initiatives Supporting Group (WISG) in collaboration with ILGA WORLD submitted the joint report regarding the state of human rights of LGBTI people in Georgia in the framework of the fourth Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Georgia. The shadow report evaluates the implementation of the SOGIESC-related recommendations issued to …

For the Equality Movement, working in a hostile and challenging environment is not new. However, the government’s organized repressive policies have created an entirely different reality—not just for the LGBTQ+ community but for every citizen and group that values freedom, equality, and democracy. Despite these difficulties, Equality Movement remains the largest LGBTQ+ community organization in …

The following report summarizes the key events and tendencies related to the radicalization of political homophobia in Georgia. Furthermore, it emphasizes such institutional decisions that remarkably harmed the well-being and safety of the LGBTQ+ community. The report specifically focuses on challenges and trends identified through the provision of legal and psycho-social services by the Equality …

“The Coalition for Equality”, with the support of the Civil Society Foundation, presents a new report highlighting the critical state of human rights and equality in Georgia. In 2024, fundamental rights have come under serious threat due to discriminatory legislation, political repression, and the removal of equality issues from state policy.   2024 report

On January 22, the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, met with representatives of the “Equality Movement,” “Women’s Initiatives Support Group,” “Tbilisi Pride,” “Queer Initiative,” and “Temida.” Following the meeting, the Commissioner expressed concern regarding the anti-LGBT so-called “On Protecting Family Values and Minors” law, which came into effect on December 2, …

We, the Georgian media and non-governmental organizations, vehemently oppose the Russian law reintroduced by the authorities. “Georgian Dream” breaking its own word and deceiving people is directed not only against Georgian media and Georgian non-governmental organizations, but also against every citizen and the European future of Georgia. Georgian non-governmental organizations help people. Passing this Russian …

In parallel with the escalating intensity of political homophobia in Georgia, in 2023, the Equality Movement implemented its historic highest number of projects. The organization took specific measures for institutional development, establishing a secure and healthy working environment, and strategic planning. Moreover, the Equality Movement established new strategic partnerships and built the foundation for innovative …

The Equality Movement organized an AIDS conference on December 2nd. The conference consisted of six panels and was attended by members of the LGBTQ+ community, doctors and epidemiologists from infectious disease and AIDS center, community-based, service providers, and LGBTQ+ organizations. The representatives shared reports on AIDS-related challenges in Georgia and the region, as well as …

The Coalition reacts to the November 1, 2023 decision of the High Council of Justice (HCoJ), by which Bolnisi District Court judge Nino Giorgadze was refused a life tenure appointment. The decision, Nino Giorgadze’s public statements, and major problems in the justice system raise reasonable doubts about the decision’s legality. Judge Nino Giorgadze openly criticized …

Georgia awaits the European Commission’s recommendation on granting it EU membership candidate status. We, the undersigned Georgian NGOs, share a common mission: to safeguard and advocate for the interests of Georgian citizens and to promote and instill European democratic values in Georgia. We all share the unwavering choice and the paramount interest of an overwhelming …

The sanctions imposed by the U.S. on the Georgian judges, Mikheil Chinchaladze, Levan Murusidze, and Irakli Shengelia; a former judge, Valerian Tsertsvadze; and the former Chief Prosecutor, Otar Partskhaladze, have not been followed by effective steps on the part of the Georgian authorities. On the contrary, since the moment of sanctioning, the authorities have been actively …

On October 9, the Venice Commission published an unprecedentedly critical opinion regarding the Organic Law of Georgia “On Common Courts.” The document evaluates both the June 2023 legislative amendments and the draft law of September 2023. The latter, unfortunately, became available to the public only after the Commission’s Opinion was published.[1] The Coalition welcomes the …

On June 13, the Parliament of Georgia adopted amendments to the Organic Law of Georgia on Common Courts in the third reading.[1] The Georgian Dream’s stated purpose of adopting the amendments was to fulfill the recommendations of the European Commission. However, according to the Venice Commission’s opinion, the draft law did not meet its recommendations …

In the coming days, it is expected that the Kyrgyz government will adopt the legislative package, collectively known as the “Russian law”, which includes legal amendments to the Law on Non-Commercial Organizations and amendments to the Criminal Code of Kyrgyz Republic.[1] The legislative amendment was introduced with the first hearings without the appropriate engagement of the …

The “Georgian Dream” deliberately prevented the creation of a temporary investigative commission in the Parliament twice, which was supposed to study corruption and other violations in the judicial system. On April 18, fifty opposition MPs registered for the session. This was enough to create a commission. However, the “Georgian Dream” deputies did not register for …

Last month, we, the citizens of Georgia, once again reaffirmed our loyalty to European values and unwavering commitment to the path leading to EU membership. Through widespread public consolidation around EU membership as a national goal, we have shown that the people of Georgia deserve candidate status. According to the sources, in October 2023, the …

The US Department of State has imposed personal sanctions on entry into the country on members of an influential group of judges due to their involvement in significant corruption. The sanctions are imposed on current and former judges: Mikheil Chinchaladze, Levan Murusidze, Valerian Tsertsvadze, and Irakli Shengelia.[1] According to the US Embassy, ​​this decision is …

The Coalition for Independent and Transparent Judiciary reacts to the re-election of Levan Murusidze and Dimitri Gvritishvili as members of the High Council of Justice by the Conference of Judges. We believe these decisions strengthen the clan-based governance in the court and prevent the fundamental reform of the justice system, that, among other things, is …