phr newsletter #2 september december
DESCRIPTION
Newsletter of NGO Partnership for Human Rights - PHR, period September-December 2014.TRANSCRIPT
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SEPTEMBER-DECEMBER 2014
PHR.HumanRights PHRgeorgia.wordpress.com
Mission of PHR
Protecting the rights of various social groups such as: children, people with disabilities, elderly people and others enhancement of gender equality and
supportwomen’s civil and political
participation.
Promoting Cross-Disability Inclusion in
Georgia - DRI and PHR joint project
Discussion: "Child’s Right to
Privacy and Media“
Gender Violence in Georgia Case of a child with disability - Gabriel
Nishnianidze
More
More More
More
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Two-day training on the topic “Combating the hidden forms of theviolence against women with disabilities” with the participation of thesocial workers, psychiatrists, the personnel working in the shelters forfamily violence victims was held in Kutaisi, in September 2014.
Violence against Women with Disabilities
The trainings for professionals were conducted on September 8-9 in Kutaisiand on September 10 -11 in Zugdidi.
The aim of the above stated activity was to enhance the awareness of thefield professionals on the rights of women with disabilities. It was realizedwithin the framework of the projects “Mainstreaming Disability into NationalAction against Gender Based Violence” and “Protect Woman with Psycho-social needs, being in Mental Institutions from Violence” funded by theEuropean Union and the organization “Women’s Fund in Georgia”
The training “Promotion of Gender Equality at Workplaces” was conducted inthe conference hall of the “Human Rights House” on September 3-4, 2014.The session on discrimination of the women’s labor rights was led by theHead of the PHR, Ana Abashidze.
The students and young people interested in gender issues participated intwo-day training, conducted by the organizations ”Article 42 of theConstitution” and the United Trade Unions of Georgia. Training was heldwithin the framework of the project “Promotion of Gender Equality atWorkplaces“, funded by the European Union.
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In September 2014, the 4-year-old Gabriel Nishnianidze was injured with a blunt object in the kindergarten. Legalassistance to Gabriel’s family was provided by the organization “Partnership for Human Rights” (PHR). TV spot on thiscase was presented on different TV channels. The Head of the PHR, Ana Abashidze evaluated the facts in different TVspots.
According to the independent expertise, the 4-year-old Gabriel Nishnianidze was injured by a blunt object. PHR comments on the incident.
PHR comment on state involvement in protection of the rights of persons with disabilities”, broadcasted on the TV channel “Tabula”
PHR is blaming patrol policy for its negligence related to Gabriel Nishnianidze’s case.
“Imedis Dila” – guests of the TV program: representatives of the UNICEF and organizations “Partnership for Human Rights” (PHR) and “Our Children”.
“Hostile atmosphere towards little Gabriel was created in the kindergarten. He was not welcomed child as he has autistic spectrum symptoms” -child’s parent and PHR representative in the radio station “Imedi”.
Ana Abasidze’s comment on Gabriel Nishnianidze’s case in the TV program “Chronicle”
Ana Abasidze in the radio station “Freedom” with a topic “Kindergartens – what is the current situation in the kindergartens and if the children’s rights are infringed there”.
Ana Abashidze on the negligence of the policemen, regarding Gabriel Nishnianidze’s case.
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On October 10, 2014, PHR representative, Ana Arganashvili madea speech at the conference “Empowering Women inDevelopment: Challenges Beyond 2015”, organized by theMinistry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania. The conference was heldin the Presidential Palace of the President of the Republic ofLithuania Ms. Dalia Grybauskaitė and it was attended by the highstate authorities of the Republic of Lithuania as well as themembers of the European Union Committee on the Elimination ofall Forms of Discrimination against Women and the womenactivists, presenting 20 different countries. Discussion organizedat the conference covered the topics: economical empowermentof women; combating of the violence against women; the use ofsocial media opportunities for realization of women’s rights.
Ana Arganashvili made a speech at the conference in Vilnius
The main topic of the discussion was the negative results of the earlymarriage. Participants got familiar with the local and internationalstandards. The statistical data of early marriages and legislative changes,proclaiming the enforced marriage as a crime, were discussed.
The second part of the meeting was given to a discussion, with children andtheir parents expressing their attitudes towards this burning issue andtalking about the necessity of preventive measures.
On October 10, 2014, the joint event dedicated to the International Day ofGirl Child, organized by the organization “Partnership for Human Rights”and the State Minister’s office for Reconciliation and Civic Equality ofGeorgia was held in the villages Sadakhlo and Talaveri. The event wasattended by 350 ethnically Azeri girls and their parents. The challengesthat girls/children are facing in Georgia, such as the problem of the earlyand enforced marriage was discussed at the event.
On September 24, 2014, PHR got an appeal forassistance from a woman, residing in the village Tibaani.With three young children and a sister-in-law, havingdisability her family lives in hard economic conditions.The children are deprived of elementary everydaythings. The only source of income is the pension on aground of a death of a breadwinner.
In result of the legal assistance, provided by theorganization “Partnership for Human Rights”, the familywas registered in the unified database of sociallyvulnerable families and as the women reported, thefamily will receive the social benefit, starting fromDecember 2014.
PHR is very thankful for effective and timely cooperationprovided by the regional department of the Agency ofSocial Services of Sighnaghi Municipality.
Ana Abashidze, the head of the organization“Partnership for Human Rights” on TV channel“Maestro” – the topic of the program: Violenceagainst Women. 19.10.2014
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Discussion on a topic “The Children’s Right to Privacy and Media” was held by the organization “Partnership for HumanRights” on October 21, 2014. Invited guests and other stakeholders talked about the role of the media in protection ofthe children’s right to privacy.
Recently, charity became one of the most discussed topics in high rate TV programs, presenting children as its mainbeneficiaries. Despite the fact that such programs quite often result in positive changes for children, sometimes theresult is achieved through the violation of their right of privacy. To make it more specific, one of the stories, presentedin the program “Nanuka’s Show”, including several facts of the violation of rights was discussed.
The author and presenter of the show, Nanuka Zhorzholiani participating in the discussion, talked about the details ofthe procedure that was realized during the preparation of the TV spot.
The speakers and participants of the event talked about the media standards in the field of protection of children’srights and discussed the possibilities to increase these standards. Recommendations for media and representatives ofother related fields were presented during the discussion.
PHR representative, Ana Arganashvili made a speech on the mainprinciples and values of the EU Convention on the Rights of Personswith Disabilities at the meeting with DPO-s, held on October 30. Themeeting, attended by about 150 delegates from Tbilisi and also fromregions, was held in Didube exhibition area (Expo Georgia –hall #3). Themeeting was organized with the assistance of the Coalition ForIndependent Living, within the framework of the project “DisabilityAdvocacy“ funded by the United States Agency for InternationalDevelopment (USAID).
Participants of the general meeting discussed the visions on theagencies responsible for the implementation and monitoring of the EUConvention on the rights of persons with Disabilities and also theprinciples of the activity of consultative councils at regional levels.
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The woman committed suicide after being terribly beaten by husband’s relatives.
Violence against Limona Alazova –violence case in Kakheti
Femicide cases
The tendency of the increase of family violence is noticeable in the country.
Violence against the women and the challenges the government is facing in this relation.
Femicide case at Ilia State University
Alarming statistics of femicide. "Maternity Leave".
TV Company GDS – Topic: Violence against women
"Talks on Women Issues" -Gurjaani TV.
Increase of family violence cases. TV channel “Maestro”
PHR on the gaps in the Law on Family Violence. TV channel “Maestro”
Program "Dialogue" - Gender based discrimination at workplace
The meeting of the Committee on Gender Equality and Civic Integration of the Parliament of Georgia.
Action: Violence against Women is a Crime- Stop It! -Program “Courier”
Public Defender: public debates on topic “Femicide –New Tendency of Violence”
Presentation of the video project “PLAY” was held in the TBC Gallery onNovember 13, 2014. “PLAY” was realized with the support of “TBC Bank” withPHR as the co-organizer of the project. Small discussion on the topic “violenceagainst women” was held with participation of Ana Abashidze, the Head of PHR.
The authors of the project are Toka Kakabadze and Giorgi Zaalishvili, theproducer is Giga Kitia.
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In July, 2014 the anonymous source made an appeal to PHR, informing that aperson with disability (mental health problem) was deprived of the access tohealth care services. According to the information source, urgent hospitalizationbecause of the aggravated mental problem was needed for a person residing inone of the state institutions.
On November 5, 2014, PHR participated in the session of the Financial andBudgetary Commission of Rustavi Municipality Sakrebulo together with itspartner organizations ”42 Article of Constitution” and “AccessibleEnvironment for All”. The meeting was organized within the framework of theproject “Supporting the Right and Opportunity of People with Disabilitiesto Participate through the Bodies of Local Self-government”, funded by the“Open Society Georgian Foundation”.
The session was attended by locally residing persons with disabilities andparents of children with disabilities.
PHR immediately reacted to this fact and addressed the State Regulation Agency for Medical Activities of the Ministryof Labor, Health and Social Affairs to study the case. The Agency started investigation of the case, at the same timeinforming PHR on the proceeding of the process. On October 25, the Agency informed, that the case was discussed atthe session of the Council of Professional Development of the Ministry of Labor, Health and Social Affairs. By thedecision of the Council, the doctor, that neglected the case and failed to hospitalize the person with disability to theMental Health Center was given “Letter of Caution”.
PHR expresses its gratitude to the State Regulation Agency for Medical Activities of the Ministry of Labor, Health andSocial Affairs for the cooperation, hoping that this case will contribute to systemic improvement of the access to thehealth care services for people with disabilities.
On November 5, 2014 the presentation of the survey “Analyses of the LaborLegislation – Gender based Discrimination in workplaces and Legal outcomes“ washeld by Georgia Young Lawyers Association (GYLA) and organization “Partnershipfor Human Rights” (PHR).
The aim of the survey was to study the aspects of the labor legislation of Georgia,related to the gender based discrimination in workplaces and also the legaloutcomes.
The survey revealed that the amendments made to the Labor Code in 2013 relative to the prohibition ofdiscrimination, shows positive tendency in protection of the employers’ rights standards, but still there are threats ofgender based violence in labor relations. The recommendations developed within the frames of the survey were sentto the state structures and other stakeholders.
The survey was conducted within the framework of GYLA and PHR joint project “Empowering Women against LaborDiscrimination and Combating Gender-based Violence”, funded by the European Union.
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On November 12, 2014, PHR participated in the session of Rustavi SocialIssues Commission. The session was attended by locally residing persons withdisabilities and parents of children with disabilities.
Issues, important for persons with disabilities residing in Rustavi werediscussed at the meeting with the initiative of the PHR:Discussion, initiated by the PHR covered the issues, important for personswith disabilities residing in Rustavi:
• Promotion of the pre-school inclusive education;• Accessibility of the means of transportation and infrastructure;• Employment of persons with disabilities.
The meeting was conducted within the framework of the project“Supporting the Right and Opportunity of People with Disabilities toParticipate through the Bodies of Local Self-government”, funded by theEuropean Union and the “Open Society Georgian Foundation”, which isimplemented by the PHR together with its partner organizations ”42 Articleof Constitution” and “Accessible Environment for All”
Meeting with the parents of children with disabilities, DPO-s and other CSO-swas conducted by the organizations “Disability Rights International” (DRI) and“Partnership for Human Rights” (PHR), in Batumi Democratic InvolvementCenter, on November 15.
The aim of the meeting was to identify the problems that persons withdisabilities are facing and to plan future cooperation. At 16:00, persons withdisabilities from the mountainous region of Adjara joined the meeting
DRI representatives, Eric Mathews and Elizebeth Bauer visited Georgia,within the framework of the project ‘’Promoting Cross-Disability Inclusion inGeorgia’’, implemented with financial assistance of USAID.
PHR representative, Ana Arganashvili participated inthe meeting of NGO-s on women’s rights, held inGeneva, in the United Nations Organization (UNO), onNovember 3 2014.
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Working meeting with organizations working on disability issues and the familymembers of persons with disabilities was conducted by the organizations“Disability Rights International” (DRI) and “Partnership for Human Rights” (PHR) inTbilisi, on November 17, 2014. The event was organized within the framework ofthe project ‘’Promoting Cross-Disability Inclusion in Georgia’’, funded by theUnited States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Training for persons with disabilities, their family members and social workers wasconducted by the organizations “Disability Rights International” (DRI) and“Partnership for Human Rights” (PHR) on November 19, 2014. The event wasattended by persons with disabilities, the residents of Martkopi and Dushetiinstitutions. Here we’d like to express our gratitude to the administration of theseinstitutions for their assistance in the organization of the visit.
Training was conducted within the framework of the project ‘’Promoting Cross-Disability Inclusion in Georgia’’, funded by the United States Agency forInternational Development (USAID).
Meeting with the IDP women, settled on Tbilisi Sea territory was held by theorganization “Partnership for Human Rights” on November 22, 2014 within theframework of the project "Combating discrimination against Older and DisabledIDP women in Georgia". Considering the actual needs of the IDP women, theFuture activities were planned at the meeting.
The aim of the project is to provide legalassistance to women with disabilities andcontribute to the problem-solving by means ofidentification and advocacy. The project isfinancially supported by the European Union andUN Women.
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On November 23, 2014, the representatives of the “Partnership forHuman Rights" visited Marneuli and together with the Marneuli YouthCenter organized a meeting for local youth, dedicated to theinternational day of fighting against the violence, with a topic ”ViolenceAgainst Women”.
Young people, participants of the seminar will disseminate theinformation they’ve got at the meeting among their peers in differentvillages of Marneuli region. The training was conducted within theframework of the project “Enhancement of the National Integration inGeorgia”.
We, the women will bring equality instead ofviolence in this country!
We, the women will bring the prosperity instead ofeconomical hardship in this country!
Only our involvement will bring democracy to thiscountry, there will be no democracy withoutwomen’s involvement!
Ana Arganashvili
On November 25, 2014, the action “Violence against Women is a Crime -Stop It” was held in 22 territorial centers of Georgia. The action wasorganized by the “Women’s Movement”, uniting all the women, placinghigh priority on gender equality and women’s rights. The petitiondeveloped by the action participants was submitted to the government.
Ana Abashidze about the action in radio station “Freedom”
Ana Arganashili about the action in radio station “Freedom”
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The training for parents of children with disabilities was conducted by the PHRin Rustavi, on December 1, 2014.
The main aim of the training was to enhance the role of parental involvementin the advocacy of disability issues with the local self-administration and itsactivity related to disability issues.
Parents, participating in the training were given the possibility to get familiarwith the role of self-administration in protection of the rights of persons withdisabilities, with the main principles of the EU Convention on the Rights ofPeople with Disabilities and the mechanisms of their application for protectionof the rights of persons with disabilities.
The training was conducted within the framework of the project “Supportingthe Right and Opportunity of People with Disabilities to Participate throughthe Bodies of Local Self-government”, funded by the European Union and the“Open Society Georgian Foundation”, which is implemented by the PHRtogether with its partner organizations ”42 Article of Constitution” and“Accessible Environment for All”.
Informational meeting for the IDP-s, settled in the “Verkhvebi” district in Gori was conducted by the organization“Partnership for Human Rights” on December 1, 2014. The meeting was organized within the framework of the project"Combating discrimination against Older and Disabled IDP women in Georgia". Considering the needs of the IDP women, thefuture activities were planned.
The aim of the project is to fight against the discrimination of older and disabled IDP women and contribute to the problem-solving by means of identification and advocacy of the problems. The project is financially supported by the European Unionand UN Women.
According to the official data, obtained by Kakheti Informational Center, about 4599girls residing in Georgia , left the schools before the graduation of the 9th gradeduring the period of 2011-2014. This indicator is especially high in the regions withAzeri ethnical minorities, where the parents often marry their girl children even atthe age of 13-14.
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The training for persons with disabilities was conducted by the PHR inRustavi, on December 5, 2014.
The main aim of the event was to enhance the involvement of personswith disabilities in advocacy of disability issues with the local self-administration and its activity related to disability issues.
Persons with disabilities, participating in the training were given thepossibility to get familiar with the role of self-administration in protectionof the rights of persons with disabilities, with the main principles of theEU Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities and themechanisms of their application for protection of the rights of personswith disabilities.
On December 13, 2014, PHR organized a training for Rustavi municipalityCity Hall personnel, providing the participants of the event withinformation on the role and different forms of activity of the self-administration; citizens’ participation in realization of the localgovernance and the role of the self-administration in the protection ofthe rights of persons with disabilities.
Training for Rustavi municipality City Hall personnel was conducted by thePHR on December 16, 2014.
City Hall personnel, participating in the training was given the possibility toget familiar with the role of self-administration in protection of the rightsof persons with disabilities, with the main principles of the EU Conventionon the Rights of People with Disabilities and the mechanisms of theirapplication for protection of the rights of persons with disabilities.
The trainings were conducted within the framework of the project“Supporting the Right and Opportunity of People with Disabilities toParticipate through the Bodies of Local Self-government”, funded by theEuropean Union and the “Open Society Georgian Foundation”, which isimplemented by the PHR together with its partner organizations ”42 Articleof Constitution” and “Accessible Environment for All” .
Ana Abashidze in the program “Dialogue” of the TV Company TV-25 with a topic:“Gender Dased Discrimination at Workplace”.
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Trainings for persons with disabilities and their parents residing in Tbilisi was held by theorganization “Partnership for Human Rights” on December 20 and 23, 2014.
Training participants had an opportunity to get familiar with information on the role anddifferent forms of activity of the self-administration; citizens’ participation in realizationof the local governance and the role of the self-administration in the protection of therights of persons with disabilities.
At the same time, participants were informed about: the national and internationalstandards related to the prohibition of discrimination; the activities to be undertaken bythe local administrations within the framework of the “National Action Plan forProvision of the Equal Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities for 2014-2016; mainprinciples of the EU Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities and themechanisms of their application for protection of the rights of persons with disabilities.
The trainings were conducted within the framework of the project“Supporting the Right and Opportunity of People with Disabilities toParticipate through the Bodies of Local Self-government”, funded by theEuropean Union and the “Open Society Georgian Foundation”, which isimplemented by the PHR together with its partner organizations ”42 Articleof Constitution” and “Accessible Environment for All”.
Ana Abashidze, the Head of the organization “Partnershipfor Human Rights” in the program “Right and Freedom”with a topic “The needs of the IDP and conflict-affectedwomen with disabilities’’.
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The seminar for IDP women residing in Tbilisi and Gori was conducted by“Partnership for Human Rights” on December 26 and 29, 2014. Nationaland international regulations on provision of the appropriateaccommodation for the refugees and the measures defined by the actionplan for implementation of the 2012-2014 State Strategy on internallydisplaced persons and refugees from occupied territories of Georgia, wereintroduced to the seminar participants.
Practical questions, asked by the IDP women during the seminar covered thetopics: accommodation standards; accessibility of the accommodation forpersons with disabilities; legalization of accommodation and alternativeoffers in case of refusal on legalization.
The seminar was conducted within the framework of the project "CombatingDiscrimination against Older and Disabled IDP women in Georgia".
The aim of the project is to fight against the women’s discrimination and contribute to problem solving by the identificationand advocacy of discrimination.
The project is implemented with financial assistance of the EuropeanUnion, in Tbilisi, Samtskhe-Javakheti and Adjara regions. The aim of theproject is to protect women’s labor rights.
The project is implemented with financial assistance of the European Unionand “Open Society Georgian Foundation” in Tbilisi, Kvemo Kartli and Guriaregions. The aim of the project is to empower the community of personswith disabilities.
P r o j e c t s
‘Empowering Women against Labor Discrimination and Combating Gender-based Violence’
‘Supporting the Right and Opportunity of People with Disabilities to Participate through the Bodies of Local Self-government’
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‘Mainstreaming Disability into National Action against Gender Based Violence’
The project is implemented with financial assistance of the European Unionin Tbilisi, Imereti, Samegrelo and Samtskhe-Javakheti regions. The aim ofthe project is to identify and manage the cases of different forms of violationagainst women with disabilities, among them those with psycho-socialneeds; sensitization of the state policy and mobilization of women’s groups.
‘Protecting women from violence in psychiatric hospitals and women who are in needs of psychosocial help’
The project is implemented in Tbilisi and regions with the support of theWomen’s Fund in Georgia. The aim of the project is to provide legalassistance to women with disabilities, among them those with psycho-socialneeds.
The project is implemented in Tbilisi and regions with the support ofthe European Union and UN Women. The aim of the project is tofight against the Older and Disabled IDP women’s discrimination andcontribute to problem solving by the identification and advocacy ofdiscrimination.
‘Combating discrimination against Older and Disabled IDP women in Georgia’
D o n o r s
EUROPEAN UNION
UN Women
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42 ARTICLE OF
CONSTITUTION
Anti-Violence
Network in
Georgia
Georgian Young
Lawyers’
Association
Accessible
Environment
for Everyone
Youth Center for
Independent
Living
Disability Rights
International
Open Society Georgia Foundation
Partnership for Human Rights
Tbilisi 0193, Aleksidze 1; Block #5 , Apt. 17Tel: + 995 032 2 33 13 56E-mail: [email protected]
P a r t n e r s