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On August 12, Human Rights House Tbilisi (HRHT) and its member organizations held a joint press conference regarding the mass arrests of human rights defenders in Azerbaijan.

Human Rights House Tbilisi member organizations – Article 42 of the Constitution, Georgian Centre for Psycho-social and Medical Rehabilitation of Torture victims (GCRT), Human Rights Centre (HRIDC), Human Rights and Conflict Studies- Caucasia, Media Institute, Union Sapari welcome signing of EU-Georgia Association Agreement and Georgia’s strive for democratic development.

On June 26, the human Rights House Tbilisi has dedicated several events to the UN International Day in support of Victims of Torture.

After fierce debate with the Orthodox Church, on May 2 the law on the elimination of all forms of discrimination and related sub-bills was passed with 115 votes to one. As it moves towards signing an association agreement with the European Union this June, Georgia is trying to make its legal environment more EU-compatible. According to the agreement between EU-Georgia the adaptation of the anti-discrimination law will help in moving ahead with visa liberalization.

On April 24, conference on “Judiciary Miscarriages in Transitional Period and Mechanisms for Their Eradication” took place at Human Rights House Tbilisi. Representatives of the participating NGOs presented their visions how to restore justice in the country.

In March 2013, the Human Rights Council adopted a resolution on the protection of human rights defenders. It establishes principles and standards for States to create an enabling environment for human rights defenders. One year after its adoption, the Human Rights House Network calls upon States to implement this resolution.

In many parts of the Balkans, Caucasus and Eastern Europe human rights defenders face threats and violence, slander and intimidations, and are the targets of new laws restricting their rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly, and simply to work to defend human rights.

On February 3rd, the Georgian Centre for Psychosocial and Medical Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (GCRT) presented the EC funded project – Helping those who suffer in silence – ensuring civic engagement to raise awareness on domestic violence and sexual abuse of women and children in Georgia.

In Georgia (84th, +17), the 2013 presidential election was less tense that the previous year’s parliamentary elections, which were marked by physical attacks and hate campaigns against journalists. Thanks to political cohabitation and then a change of government through the polls, Georgia has recovered some of the terrain lost in recent years as the Saakashvili administration’s reforming zeal ran out of steam. Media polarization will nonetheless continue to be a challenge in the coming years.