GEO
Activities
The Union "Century 21" conducts periodic analysis and reporting on recent amendments and legal initiatives related to the freedom of religion and belief. The latest report Registration of Religious Organisations in Georgia was published in June 2005.
It overviews the latest amendments to the Civil Code and Administrative Code of Georgia adapted by the Parliament of Georgia and allowing the religious organisations to be registered as the legal entities of the Private Law: union or foundation. Although, these amendments are in contradiction with the nature and historical experiences of the religious organisations.
In 2002-2003 the Union "Century 21" provided legal consultations to the victims of religious violence, included free of charge legal aid and the representation at courts.
From those cases during the project implementation, should be mentioned the case Basil Mkalavishvili against Newspaper Resonance. The lawyer of the Union "Century 21" defended newspaper Resonance against Basil Mkalavishvili at Didube-Chugureti district court.
In 2002-2003 experts employed at the project "For the Freedom of Religion and Belief organized radio talk-shows on various topics related to the problems of freedom of religion and belief. For the talk-shows were invited local experts and human rights defenders, as well as representatives of relevant state structures.
Another activity of the project was the production of the book "For Freedom of Religion and Belief" covering national and international legal acts on freedom of religion and belief. The book discusses the practices of various European countries in relevance to the State and Church relations.
In 2004 we initiated the creation of the Consultative Council on Freedom of Religion and Belief and Tolerance Teaching the members of which are international experts and senior specialists working in the field. International experts having the consultative status with The Union "Century 21" participated in the activities implemented by the organisation over last years.
International Conference: "Religion, Law and Tolerance in Georgia: International Standards and Domestic Needs" was held on 6-7 December, 2004 in Tbilisi at Tbilisi Marriott. The conference was supported by the OSCE/ODIHR, Oslo Coalition on Freedom of Religion or Belief and BYU International Centre for Law and Religion Studies.
At the conference took part international experts, members of the ODIHR Panel of Experts, who address different aspects of the proposed topic - international standards on religion, law and tolerance. The conference was largely attended by the representatives of local NGOs, governmental structures, international organisations, and diplomatic missions in Georgia.
One of the worthy achievements of the conference was an open, candid dialogue among religious leaders around the conference topics.
On 7 December the conference was hosted by the Committee on Legal Issues of the Parliament of Georgia.
The Union "Century 21" conducts periodic analysis and reporting on recent amendments and legal initiatives related to the freedom of religion and belief. The latest report "Registration of Religious Organisations in Georgia" was published in June 2005.
In 2002-2003 the Union "Century 21" provided legal consultations to the victims of religious violence, included free of charge legal aid and the representation at courts.
In 2002-2003 experts employed at the project "For the Freedom of Religion and Belief organized radio talk-shows on various topics related to the problems of freedom of religion and belief. For the talk-shows were invited local experts and human rights defenders, as well as representatives of relevant state structures.
International Conference: "Religion, Law and Tolerance in Georgia: International Standards and Domestic Needs" was held on 6-7 December, 2004 in Tbilisi at Tbilisi Marriott. The conference was supported by the OSCE/ODIHR, Oslo Coalition on Freedom of Religion or Belief and BYU International Centre for Law and Religion Studies.
The information about the work already achieved and the problems identified has been presented at the OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting from 19-30 September, 2005 in Warsaw, (Poland).