By its judgment (July 14.2006) the Constitutional Court did not satisfy GYLA claim in regard to constitutionality of the norms of the “Georgian Customs’ Code” (in relation to articles 24 and 41 of the Constitution). According to the disputed norms documents transferred to customs’ agencies are considered commercial secret. By the rendered judgment Constitutional Court challenged all the achievements of the Administrative Code. The Court considered, that public agencies might have commercial secret:“According to article 8 of the Civil Code, any natural or legal person may be a subject of private law relations which are regulated by the Civil Code.”
2006-06-21 20:00 See moreOn May 23- 24, 2006 the 4th International Conference of Information Commissioners was arranged. Tamar Gurchiani, coordinator of GYLA project “Freedom on Information, Law Reform and Financial Transparency” participated in the conference. The meeting of civil society representatives organized by Open Society Justice Initiative was also held. Civil society representatives worked out "Manchester Declaration", which calls everybody to declare right to freedom of information as a fundamental right. This right should be used in combating corruption. States should cooperate with civil society for implementing freedom of information laws. The full text of “Manchester Declaration” is available in the attachment. Manchester Declaration
2006-05-30 20:00 See moreToday, on June 29 the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association send a letter to the director general of the public broadcaster requesting live transmission of the hearing of Sandro Girvgvliani’s case. According to articles 16, paragraph c) of the Georgian law on public broadcaster, public broadcaster should guarantee timely and comprehensive submission of information to the audience on the ongoing events in Georgia.” Since public interest towards the hearing is great and the fact has great resonance, transmitting of the hearing in live is of utmost importance. It will assist to raising of public trust to impartiality and fairness of judiciary is Georgia.
2006-05-28 20:00 See moreTraining seminar “Taking cases to the European Court of Human Rights” was delivered within the framework of joint project “Strengthening Human Rights Capacity” carried out by Georgian Young Lawyers Association and European Human Rights Advocacy Centre. Seminar was delivered by Bill Bowring and Philip Leach, practising lawyers specialising in human rights. The seminar was dedicated to the discussion of the procedures for applying to the European court of Human Rights and admissibility as well as to the consideration of various fundamental rights guaranteed by the European Convention. The seminar was interactive; Therefore, it was possible to deliberate over specific examples characteristic to Georgian reality. Aforementioned seminar was oriented on raising public awareness with regard to the application to the European Court of Human Rights. The result is a qualified lawyer able to select potential cases for submitting before the European Court of Human Rights.
2006-05-07 20:00 See moreOn 7th of May 1/8 and 1/4 finals of parliamentary debates were held in GYLA. Students of the Legal Education Promotion Fund who have passed the selection stage of tournament participated in debates. Debates in quarterfinal were held on the following resolutions: This chamber believes that an ombudsman is an effective mechanism to protect people’s rights;This chamber believes that: right of property is inviolable;This chamber believes that the government and religion should be segregated. Quarterfinal groups Maia Titberidze (Introduction of law)Tamar Gongadze Nino Sarishvili (International law)Tamar Daushvili Khatuna Khelidze (Criminal law)Oliko Giorgadze Eliso Chabrava (Civil law)Vanda Jejelava Archil Nizcharadze (Introduction of law)Beso Ghonghadze Nino Gobrondize (Constitutional law)Tamar Chugoshvili Lana lagvilava (Criminal law)Giorgi Chidrashvili Nino Zubitashvili (Introduction of law)Mariam Davitnidze Debates in quarterfinal were held on the following resolutions: This chamber believes that government should not guarantee free legal aid Semi-final groups: Nino Sarishvili (International law)Tamar Daushvili Eliso Chabrava (Civil law)Vanda Jejelava Nino Gobrondize (Constitutional law)Tamar Chugoshvili Nino Zubitashvili (Introduction of law)Mariam Davitnidze
2006-05-07 20:00 See moreThe Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association discussed the draft initiated by the Legal Committee of the Parliament envisaging amendments to the Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure Code, to Law on Imprisonment and other laws. GYLA prepared and submitted to the Legal Committee of the Georgian Parliament the assessment on pending amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code. Within the frames of the informal working group temporarily established at the Legal Committee, GYLA experts participated in discussion of the draft and reached agreement on some issues. As a result the draft has been improved, however, we consider that some problematic issues still persist and should be reviewed.
2006-04-24 20:00 See moreDraft criminal procedure code of Georgia (As of 18.04.06) Draft criminal procedure
2006-04-24 20:00 See moreGeorgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) Project “No To Trafficking In persons! (NOTIP)” implemented with support of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), holds Poster Competition on the topic “No To Trafficking In Persons!”
2006-04-05 20:00 See moreOn April 4 Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) applied to the vice-speaker of the Parliament and asked assistance in ensuring transparency of “Law enforcement agencies development fund” and “Georgian Army development fund”. On April 2 Mikheil Machavariani made statement in TV program Droeba on transparency and publicity of law enforcement funds. The chairperson of the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association asks the deputy chairman of the parliament to assist interested persons in acquiring necessary information. During a year GYLA made all attempts to retrieve information on the activities and expenditures of law enforcement funds, however in vain. At court hearings, respondents (the Ministry of Interior and the General Prosecutor’s Office) insisted, that the funds were legal entities of private law and their activities were closed.
2006-04-03 20:00 See moreThe chairperson of the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association-Anna Dolidze and the director of GYLA Rule of Law Program visited Adjara region on March 28-29. The aim of the visit was to meet with the representatives of local NGOs and discussed problems and existed situation in the region. Nearly 30 participants from various NGOs attended the meeting held in Batumi, GYLA Adjara branch office. Participants discussed topical issues and the role of civil sector in the process and set plans for further cooperation. Following issues were identified from the discussed problems: • Activities of Adjara region;• Self-censorship of local media;• Judiciary problems;• Relationships of the government of autonomous republic and the high council;• Situation in education sphere On March 29, Anna Dolidze visited penitentiary #3 and met with prisoners.The next meeting was held in Kutaisi with NGO representatives from Imereti and Samegrelo regions. Following topics were noteworthy • Activities of local mass media• The practice of “selective” detention on Samegrelo-Abkhazeti boarder• Electricity supply• Problems in self-governance • Situation in penitentiaries Civil Society representatives agreed on cooperation in regard to the local problems.
2006-03-30 20:00 See more