On September 6, 2011 the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) submitted to public independent forensic report from DAS Fingerprints/Forensics Ltd. (forensic bureau established in UK) regarding circumstances of Nika Kvintradze’s death, one of the persons who died during the developments of May 26. The report contains important information for investigation of circumstances of Nika Kvintradze’s death.

Following the publication of independent forensic findings, the Ministry of Interior accused GYLA in deliberate dissemination of false facts. Representatives of state authorities made incorrect comments towards GYLA blaming the organization for involvement in “political games”. At the same time, Kurieri news on Rustavi 2 and Kronika news on Imedi for several days broadcasted reports prepared in full disregard of journalistic standards and ethic norms aimed to discredit GYLA. We are particularly concerned that GYLA’s right to get and disseminate professional information that is inseparable and important part of human rights’ NGO questioned as opposed to credibility of forensic findings.

Member organizations of Georgian National Platform of Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum declare their solidarity to the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association. Considering expressed accusations unfounded and the negative campaign carried out by certain TV Companies unacceptable, we call on

The Delegation of the European Union to Georgia – to assess the discrediting campaign carried out against GYLA according to “EU Guidelines for Human Rights’ Defenders”and express its position.

The Government of Georgia - to curb such an unfounded attack against civil society representatives, in order to not discredit the organization and the NGO sector as a whole and not to harm the democracy image of the country.

Media Representatives - namely, Rustavi 2 and Imedi broadcasting companies to observe journalistic ethic norms that obliges the broadcaster to submit news and facts impartiality with due accuracy, when preparing a news report.

Undersigned organizations:

1. The Green Alternative;

2. International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy;

3. Human Rights’ Center;

4. Eurasian Partnership Fund;

5. International Transparency Georgia;

6. Association “Dea”;

7. Association European Studies for Innovative Development of Georgia;

8. Public Policy Institute;

9. Multinational Georgia;

10. Strategic Research and Development Center of Georgia;

11. Article 42;

12. Youth Alternative;

13. Civil Development Institute;

14. Association for Protection of Farmers’ Rights;

15. Association “Woman and business”;

16. Caucasus Institute for Economic and Social Studies;

17. Energo-effectiveness Fund;

18. Healthy World;

19. Coalition for Civil Development;

20. World Experience for Georgia;

21. Network of Caucasus Environment Protection NGOs;

22. Trade Unions of Georgia;

23. Levan Mikeladze Foundation;

24.European Integration Forum - Civil Society and Consulting;

25. Liberal Academy Tbilisi;

26. Association “Green Wave”;

27.Open Society Georgian Foundation;

28.Association "Elkana".