NGOs Request to Be Included in the Working Meeting on the Implementation of the 9 Recommendations of the EU Commission
By Liza Mchedlidze
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Ten non-governmental organizations ,focused on democracy and judicial supremacy have released a statement and requested participation in the upcoming working meeting to discuss the implementation of the nine recommendations outlined by the European Commission.
According to their statement, on January 29, the Parliament of Georgia held a working meeting concerning the implementation of the mentioned recommendations, where they engaged with opposition parties and representatives of the national platform of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum. Upon learning about the working meeting in the Parliament of Georgia, some civil organizations wrote to the Chairman of the Parliament, seeking involvement in the work process. However, at the current stage, their request has been denied, and the Parliament refused to invite the public organizations expressing interest in participating in the work process to the meeting.
As signatory organizations, they emphasize not being members of the platform but have been actively working on issues covered by the European Union's nine recommendations for several years.
The organizations, dedicated to democracy and judicial supremacy, called on the Parliament to expand cooperation with the civil sector and adopt a comprehensive working format that includes the participation of interested organizations.
"On January 29, concerning the implementation of the 9 recommendations of the European Commission, the Parliament of Georgia conducted a working meeting with opposition parties and representatives of the national platform of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum.
As signatory organizations, we are not members of the platform; however, we have been working on the issues covered by the EU's 9 recommendations for years.
After it became known that a working meeting was planned in the Parliament of Georgia, some civil organizations wrote to the Chairman of the Parliament, requesting involvement in the work process.
In the statement signed by organizations dedicated to democracy and judicial supremacy, we urged the Parliament to broaden cooperation with the civil sector, ensuring the adoption of a comprehensive working format that includes the participation of interested organizations.
However, at this stage, our request was denied, and the Parliament refused to invite the public organizations that had expressed interest in participating in the work process to the meeting," the statement reads.
The statement was signed by the following non-governmental organizations: Georgia Young Lawyers Association (GYLA); Safari; Center for Social Justice; Democracy Research Institute (DRI); European-Georgian Institute (EGI); Information Development Institute (IDFI); Open Space Caucasus; Rights Georgia; International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy; Human Rights Center.
