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27 March 2017

Human Rights in Georgia: 1991

The document titled the “1991 Country Human Rights Report for the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic” was sent from the U.S. Embassy in Moscow to the State Department. The document discusses political and human rights situation in USSR and its member republics. The August coup and its aftermath, ending of 70-year communist rule, independence of Baltic States, killing innocent civilians in Riga and Vilnius, and Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict is only a short list of topics discussed in the report. Below, IDFI provides information regarding Georgia of that period.

23 March 2017

Resolution of the European Freedom of Information Commissioners and Ombudspersons

On February 23-24, 2017, at an international conference held in Berlin, the European Freedom of Information (FOI) Commissioners and Ombudspersons signed a joint resolution calling on governments in Europe to protect freedom of information and strengthen the role of information commissioners and ombudspersons in their states.

21 March 2017

Discussion of the Ministry’s draft Strategy and Action Plan of Transparency and Integrity

On March 21, IDFI and the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure held a discussion of the Ministry’s draft Strategy and Action Plan of Transparency and Integrity. The main aim of the event was to present and gather feedback from non-governmental and international organizations on the draft document.

20 March 2017

The Letter of President of Georgia Zviad Gamsakhurdia to United States Secretary of State James Baker

IDFI continues to publish declassified documents kept in US archives. This time, we are publishing a letter of the Georgian President Zviad Gamsakhurdia to US Secretary of State James Baker dated December 12, 1991. This letter is a response to the criticism expressed by the US towards President Gamsakhurdia.

15 March 2017

Meeting of the Permanent Parliamentary Council on Open and Transparent Governance and Consultative Group

IDFI organized a meeting of the Permanent Parliamentary Council on Open and Transparent Governance and the Consultative Group. Participants discussed the recommendations prepared by the Consultative Group in relation to the Open Parliament Georgia Action Plan 2017-2018.

28 February 2017

Supreme Court Rules in Favor of IDFI in a Case against the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development

The Supreme Court of Georgia declared the appeal of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development (MOESD) against the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) inadmissible.

25 February 2017

February 25, 1921 is the Day of Occupation of the Democratic Republic of Georgia

February 25, 1921 is the day of occupation of the Democratic Republic of Georgia. In order to honor the memory of political prisoners who were arrested and shot in the years following the occupation, IDFI and Society Memorial organized an exhibition in front of the Parliament building titled "Results of Sovietization in Georgia - Photos and Lists of the Repressed". The exhibition presented the lists of prisoners executed in 1921-1924 (1,350 persons) and people arrested by the secret police (‘Cheka’) in 1921-1922 (2,734 persons), letters sent from exile, group photos, and various print material published by prisoners and the repressed, such as newspapers, magazines, dictionaries and mor

9 February 2017

Public Defender Recommends Ministry of Justice to Cease Violating IDFI’s Rights

On January 31^st, 2017, the Public Defender of Georgia held that the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) and 11 legal entities of public law (LEPL) operating within its system violated the right of N(N)LE Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI). According to the Public Defender, the state entities failed to fulfil their legal obligation to disclose public information.

30 January 2017

Field Meeting of the Permanent Parliamentary Council on Open and Transparent Governance

The field meeting of the Permanent Parliamentary Council on Open and Transparent Governance (Council) and the Consultative Group under the Council was held at “Crowne Plaza Hotel”, Borjomi. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss issues related to parliamentary openness and to plan future steps.

26 January 2017

Parliament Chairperson Approved the New Composition of the Permanent Parliamentary Council on Open and Transparent Governance

New Members of the Council are: Irina Pruidze (as the Chairman) – from “Georgian Dream”, Irakli Kobakhidze-“Georgian Dream”, Tamar Chugoshvili-“Georgian Dream”, Kakha Kuchava-“Georgian Dream”, Guguli Magradze-“Georgian Dream”, Giorgi Tugushi-“European Georgia-for Better Future”, Otar Kakhidze-“European Georgia-for Better Future” and Emzar Kvitsiani-“Georgian Patriots”.