Rule of Law, Human Rights and Freedom of Media

26 February 2021

Tbilisi City Court Granted the Appeal of IDFI against Media Academy

Tbilisi City Court Fully Granted the Appeal of IDFI against Media Academy and ordered the respondent to provide public information.

21 February 2021

IDFI responds to the arrest of the protesters in front of the Parliament of Georgia

On February 19, 2021, police arrested 25 people, including members of a political party, during a protest rally in front of the Georgian Parliament. Given the small number of protesters, this figure is alarmingly high.

17 February 2021

Based on the IDFI’s application, the Public Defender of Georgia addressed the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development with a recommendation to release public information

On February 11, 2021, the Public Defender established a violation of the constitutional right - access to public information of the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information by the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia.

10 February 2021

Guðmundur Andri Ástráðsson v. Iceland: Breach of Domestic Law on Judicial Appointments Violated the Right to a Fair Trial

The case of Guðmundur Andri Ástráðsson v. Iceland, decided on 1 December 2020, provided the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR or the Court) with an opportunity to refine the concept of a “tribunal established by law”. This case addresses the issue of judicial appointments and the way the irregularities in this process can lead to a violation of the right to a fair trial.

28 January 2021

The Importance of Personal Data Protection in the E-Governance Process

E-governance is related to the introduction of technology and innovations in government institutions. E-governance is the public sector's use of information and communication technologies with the aim of improving service and information delivery, encouraging citizen participation in the decision-making process, and making government more accountable, transparent and effective.

28 December 2020

Review of the Media Critic Platform

On August 2^nd, 2018, the Georgian National Communication Commission (the Commission/GNCC) established NNLE Media Academy (Media Academy) and granted it the mandate of promoting media literacy in Georgia.

10 December 2020

IDFI Delivered a Statement at the Pre-Session of the UN Universal Periodic Review

On December 8, 2020, the pre-session of the 3^rd cycle of the UN Universal Periodic Review was held in a virtual format where the representatives of non-governmental organizations and the public defender’s office informed the Permanent Missions to the UN about the human rights situation in Georgia.

7 December 2020

The Draft Decree Regulating the Process of Selection of Supreme Court Judicial Candidates by the High Council of Justice is Problematic

The Coalition is reacting to the draft decree, which was published on the High Council of Justicewebpage on December 1, 2020. The decree is supposed to regulate the process of selection of Supreme Court judges by the High Council of Justice. The Coalition believes that the proposed rules do not ensure an open and transparent process. They also considerably limit the ability of the Council members to actively engage in interviews and pose questions to candidates at their own discretion.

1 December 2020

EMC and IDFI on Challenges Related to the Independent Investigative Mechanism

It’s been one year since the independent investigative mechanism became effective and there are still insufficient guarantees of its institutional and functional independence. The establishment of this Service was crucial in the fight against torture and ill-treatment in the country, however, further steps are needed to strengthen the State Inspector’s Service.

20 November 2020

Covid-19 and Constitutional Review: Assessment of the Effectiveness of the Constitutional Court of Georgia

Beginning with November 9, 2020, a curfew was enacted in 7 major cities of Georgia. This decision by the Government of Georgia was met with sharp political and judicial criticism.