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Postponement of enacting restriction of freedom as non-custodial punishment is unacceptable

A draft law has been initiated in the parliament, envisaging amendment of the Criminal Code of Georgia and postponement of enacting restriction of freedom as one of the types of non-custodial punishment for two years. These changes were initiated by the government of Georgia and drafted by the Ministry of Corrections. GYLA disapproves of the initiative.

2014-07-24 13:20 See more

Postponement of enacting restriction of freedom as non-custodial punishment is unacceptable

A draft law has been initiated in the parliament, envisaging amendment of the Criminal Code of Georgia and postponement of enacting restriction of freedom as one of the types of non-custodial punishment for two years. These changes were initiated by the government of Georgia and drafted by the Ministry of Corrections. GYLA disapproves of the initiative.

2014-07-24 13:20 See more

GYLA Publicizes an Additional Information on the Alleged Existence of the So-Called “Audience” in the Law-Enforcement Facilities

On July 16, 2014 GYLA made a statement on the alleged existence of the “Audience” in the law-enforcement facility #8 and called upon the relevant institutions to respond. The statement was based on the explanation, provided by one of the prisoners, Shavleg Gurgenidze to the GYLA lawyer. In his explanation, the prisoner mentions specific convicts in the law-enforcement facility #8, who force other prisoners to abide by their requests and who are under the patronage of the prison administration. 

2014-07-24 11:49 See more

The New Draft about “State Secret” Requires Key Amendments

The new draft about “State Secret” has been initiated in the Parliament. The author of the draft is the interagency working group and the initiator - MP Irakli Sesiashvili. We appreciate the initiative to amend the outdated applicable law, though it should be noted that submitted  version fails to meet current challenges and does not ensure compliance of the norms regulating state secret with international standards, that was the aim of the law.  

2014-07-23 15:04 See more

GYLA’s Assessment of Government Resolution on Determining Bonuses

We would like to comment on the resolution adopted by the Government for determining the amount of bonuses. First, it must be noted that the process of elaborating the document lacked transparency. GYLA has been working on the issue for over the years and we believe that based on the analysis of national or international practice we could have provided the government with valuable recommendations. However, we must note that the government’s attempt to resolve the issue is a positive step forward.

2014-07-18 13:54 See more

GYLA Applies to the Prosecution Service and the Ministry of Corrections of Georgia on the Possibility of Makurebelis in Correctional Facility N8

On July 15, 2014, an inmate from correctional facility N8 Shavleg Gurgenidze reported possible crime to GYLA’s lawyer. The report about problem of the so-called prison Makurebeli (an influential prisoner overseeing activities of other inmates) in the correctional facility N8 requires further action in a timely manner.

2014-07-16 15:52 See more

GYLA’s Statement about Saikhan Muzaevi’s Case

GYLA has been protecting Saikhan Muzaevi’s interests. The Ministry of Interior, without any justification, disallows him to leave the territory and restricts his constitutional right to free movement.   Saikhan Muzaevi intended to continue his studies in the Great Britain. He received relevant visa and paid accommodation and tuition fees. On January 13, 2014 representatives of the Ministry of Interior stopped him in Tbilisi international airport and disallowed to leave the territory  of country without any legislative and factual explanations. Later, he attempted to leave the country 12 times, though on each term he encountered similar illegal conduct from the Ministry of Interior.

2014-07-15 13:13 See more

Second Round of the Elections of the Mayors and Gamgebelis: Evaluation of the Election Day

GYLA observed the second round of the June 15/2014 Local Self-Government Executive Body Elections (elections of the self-governing city and community mayors and gamgebelis) in Tbilisi and in the 13 electoral districts through up to 400 observers.  Despite some violations, the electoral process was mainly conducted in a peaceful environment. 

2014-07-13 11:39 See more

Polling Day Observation Results by 20:30

By 20:30 GYLA continues election observation. The electoral process is mostly conducted in the calm environment. By 20:00 the voting procedure has ended. By that time, the violations relating to the mobile ballot box, indirect influence upon the voters’ will, the attempts of taking the ballots away from the polling station, as well as other violations have occurred.

2014-07-12 20:30 See more

Election Day Observation Results by 16:00

At 16:00 GYLA continues observing Election Day processes.  The voting process is mostly conducted in a calm environment. However, a number of incidents of physical and verbal confrontation nearby several precincts have been noted. Also, the following violations have been identified: GYLA observers identified various violations and wrote a number of complaints.

2014-07-12 19:49 See more