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 …