|
 |
|
|
Georgian journalist asks for asylum
Print version 
Author: Story by Nina Akhmeteli
Georgian investigative journalist and a head of Reporter Studio Vakhtang Komakhidze is seeking political asylum in Switzerland. He has already appealed to the Swiss authorities after allegedly experiencing government pressure on his professional activities.
According to media.ge Komakhidze send a letter to pressa.ge. explaining the reasons behind this decision. The journalist states that asylum is the only guaranteed way to finish the documentary he is working on and a guarantee for his family safety.
“I, journalist Vakhtang Komakhidze, am seeking for asylum in a democratic country since my professional activity is being restricted in Georgia and the freedom, health and lives of my family members and me is under threat,” the letter reads.
According to the journalist, he has been threatened aggressively by the authorities after visiting Tskhinvali together with conflict issues expert Paata Zakareishvili and civil society representative Manana Mebuke, where he gathered material related to the 2008 August war.
Together with Zakareishvili and Mebuke, Komakhidze met the de facto South Ossetian president during his December visit. After his return he said that he intended to make a documentary.
Full Story... |
|
|
New cold storage space for Rustavi vegetables
Print version
Author: Story and photo by Noemie Coppin
The Georgian tomatoes that are cherished every summer could now be available all year long.
USAID supported the opening, on Friday, Feb. 5, of a new cold storage facility for the Birliki farmers in Rustavi. This equipment will extend the selling season and make it possible for the local farmers to meet the continuous demand of the Vegini and Populi supermarkets for fresh Georgian vegetables.
Located within the smokestacks, rusty cranes and crumbling buildings of Rustavi is Energy Investor, which will construct the cooler. Energy Investor is one of the largest working enterprises in Rustavi and one of the largest energy exporters in the country.
The first 70 tons of food are currently being stored. Two other coolers will be full of vegetables for next summer. The cooler is kept at zero degrees, allowing some vegetables to be stored up to four months.
The project was initiated in October with USAID contributing $50,000. Jock Conly, the mission director, said storing vegetables and assisting the agricultural sector is detrimental to decreasing poverty in the country.
“Half of the employment in Georgia is connected to the agricultural sector,” Conly said.
Full Story... |
|
|
ICC-Georgia hosts Giorgi Baramidze to discuss FTA
Print version
Author: Story by Nino Edilashvili
The government’s priorities are promoting a better business environment and creating new jobs, said Vice Premier and State Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Giorgi Baramidze as he met members of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Georgia. During a meeting held on Feb. 10 Baramidze made a presentation about EU-Georgia cooperation and the Free Trade Agreement with the EU.
“Both local and foreign business people should be aware of the progress made on the road to European integration,” Baramidze said.
Official talks with the representatives of the EU will start this year and currently preparation works are underway, according to Baramidze.
“A number of issues have already been resolved such as harmonization of the legislature. And we also made progress regarding the food safety issues,” he said.
The food safety question is significant because it would move the Georgian food safety control closer to EU standards and help Georgia expand its export to the EU countries.
Full Story... |
|
|
Georgian psychiatrists fight for the establishment of a human rights based society
Print version
Author: Story by Irma Kakhurashvili
The Global Initiative on Psychiatry foundation in Tbilisi, with financial support from the European Union, is finalizing the project “Fighting Stigma and Discrimination of Mental Ill Health,” due to be completed by the end of February. Many events occurred in conjunction with the project, including a large-scale media competition involving 75 TV, radio and print media products. The focus of the competition was to raise awareness about the fight against psychic problems, stigma and discrimination and the main goal of the project was to draw public attention toward the situation of people with mental problems.
Project partners included the Public Defender’s Office, Union for Equal Rights, Georgia’s Psycho-social Assistance Association “Ndoba,” Georgia’s Mental Health Association, Association “Anti-stigma,” Georgia’s Healthcare and Medicine Development Fund, Union for People in Need of Special Care and Young Teachers’ Union.
The Global Initiative on Psychology reminded everyone once again that people with mental problems have the right to lead a dignified life, which is easier when an adequate public attitude toward them is established. One of the foundation’s slogans was a reminder of that—no one is insured against mental health problems, especially in the 21st century when certain neuroses are considered diseases of civilizations.
The goal of the 14-month project was to advocate tolerance and non-discrimination among representatives of media and policymakers toward people with mental problems. Recent research has shown how mental problems, social isolation and poverty are interrelated in Georgia. According to Nino Makhashvili, head of the Tbilisi office of the foundation, marginalization of people with mental problems is a clear indicator that the public and media attitude should change; state policy needs to be improved.
Full Story... |
|
|
IDPs could be aided by community centers
Print version
Author: Story by Liene Veide
The Charity Humanitarian Center, Abkhazeti, and Save the Children of Georgia opened a community center Gardabani on Feb. 4. The center is meant to help facilitate the integration of displaced populations in Georgia.
The center will serve as a shared space where Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) can meet non-IDPs and decision-makers to gain access to information and exchange ideas. The project will help identify the problems and priorities communities face and also set possible solutions. The emphasis will be put on children, youth and family related issues.
By the end of February 2011, there could be community centers in Zugdidi, Poti, Tskaltubo and Gali.
“The centers will offer a number of cultural and leisure activities, and will provide different trainings as well,” said Abkhazeti’s Executive Director Eka Gvalia.
Natia Deisadze, the project director of Georgia’s Save the Children said the center was funded with one million euros that came from the EU, which earmarked the funds through its project called “Community Centers for Conflict Affected Communities in Georgia.”
Full Story... |
|
|
Georgia’s only hospital for children with leukemia in needs of repairs
Print version
Author: Story by Noemie Coppin
Twenty paintings from artist David Charkviani went on sale last Saturday at the Sheraton Metexh Palace Hotel. Eight of the paintings were sold for 200 to 350 lari (about $340-595) each. The money will be used to improve infrastructures at the Iashvili Central Childrens’ Hospital, treating children with leukemia.
The children’s hospital is the only place in the country where children suffering from leukemia can be treated.
Leukemia is a type of cancer, and it represents one quarter of all types of cancer among children, most of which are declared before the age of eight. It is characterized by an abnormal production of blood cells by bone marrow.
Twenty-eight children from all over Georgia are now under treatment in the twelve rooms of the Oncohematology Department of the Iashvili Central Childrens’ Hospital. The average length of the treatment is six months. The child’s long stay at the hospital sometimes forces the parents to stay in the same room as their child. Many parents cannot afford to rent a room in the city for that long of a period of time.
Full Story... |
|
|
Lelo’s Rugby waits patiently for Russia
Print version
Author: Photostory by Louis-Antoine le Moulec
On February 6, Dynamo Stadiumin Tbilisi was under snow. Despite the brutal cold and snowy conditions, the Georgian National rugby team played and pummeled Germany. The game was for the European Nations Cup but it also determined the European qualification for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
Georgians led throughout the match. There was a Georgian penalty that gave three points to Germany in the 37th minute. In the end, Georgia won 77 to 3. Later, the German team said that the Georgians played perfectly.
During the match, supported by loud waves of “Sakartvelo, Sakartvelo,” the Georgian team seemed to improve its tactics. Tim Lane, the trainer, explained at the press conference after the match, that his players made many “improvements during the game.”
At 5:00 the next day, the players flew to France to continue training before meeting Portugal on Feb. 13.
Lelos has one objective: to be ready to face Russia, the next major opponent, on March, 20, in Trabzon, Turkey.
Ia Khurtsilava, the development Committee Secretary of the Georgian Rugby Union, said the game against Russia won’t be normal.
Full Story... |
|
|
|
Top | Go Back |
|
|
