Signatory organizations responding to the information published by Rustavi 2, concerning the Georgian government’s request submitted to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) to abolish the interim measure issued on Rustavi 2 case and to transfer the ownership of the company to its “legal owner - Kibar Khalvashi”until the final ruling.

We call on the parliamentary majority to accelerate work on reforming political party finance regulations that, among other issues, will offset unfair results of the recent amendments. In addition, this process should be maximally open and inclusive from the very beginning in order to get such amendments that will be based on compromise among political parties and other stakeholders.

To ensure the trustworthiness and fairness of the administration of justice concerning this case, it is important that Tbilisi Court of Appeals pays close attention to these inconsistencies and makes an appropriate assessment of the circumstances which were not properly considered and assessed by the court of first instance.

The Coalition for an Independent and Transparent Judiciary has submitted two additional legislative proposals to the Parliament of Georgia that involve strengthening the independence of the High School of Justice and changing the role of court chairs and their selection procedure. The Coalition has previously submitted proposals regarding the system of disciplinary liability of judges.

The attack on black students in the evening of April 8 in Dighmis Masivi is extremely alarming. Video of the event shows racist statements and motives of attackers. Together with recently identified other crimes motivated by intolerance, this incident indicates that the state should implement a consistent and systemic anti-discrimination policy.

We call on Georgian Parliament and political forces to support the corresponding package of legislative amendments by means of constructive discussions.

We call on the High Council of Justice to adequately assess the damaging effects of Judge Sergo Metopishvili’s initiative on judicial independence, trust towards and reputation of the judiciary, and principles of democratic governance. We call on the HCOJ to publicly affirm its respect to the fundamental principles of law and preclude any encroachment on them.

The Coalition for an Independent and Transparent Judiciary calls on the Independent Inspector of the High Council of Justice to commence disciplinary proceedings against specific members of the HCOJ, in accordance with Article 6 of the Law on Disciplinary Liability of Judges of Common Courts of Georgia and Disciplinary Proceedings.

The Coalition for an Independent and Transparent Judiciary submitted legislative proposal to the Parliament of Georgia. The proposal aims at improvement of the grounds for disciplinary liability of judges and reforming the institution of an Independent Inspector.

The Coalition for an Independent and Transparent Judiciary is ready to assist civil society organizations in establishing internal organizational mechanisms to protect against sexual harassment. Such mechanisms will prevent the violation of women’s rights and will support access to justice for the victims of sexual harassment.