Promoting Rule of Law in Georgia (PROLoG) Quarterly Report Year Two April 1, 2016 – June 30, 2016

Despite the collaborative efforts of PROLoG and the NGO Coalition, the Parliament of Georgia did not make a final decision on the "Third Wave" judicial reform during the spring session covered by this reporting period. The election of a new Parliament is scheduled for October 2016, and debates at the Plenary are not anticipated before the new Parliament is seated unless the President calls for an ad hoc session of Parliament. PROLoG brought U.S. Judge (rtd.) Tim Baland back to Georgia to facilitate a workshop for High Council of Justice (HCOJ) members and staff aimed at improving the Judicial Candidate Interview and Evaluation Process. The HCOJ asked PROLoG's expert to provide written suggestions for the improvement of HCOJ's internal regulations related to the judicial selection and appointment process. PROLoG continued supporting policy reform of the judicial system, organizing a second workshop for the HCOJ, led by Slovenian expert Aleš Zalar, to improve the knowledge of its members and staff concerning strategic development. On May 23rd, the HCOJ, with advice and guidance from international experts provided by PROLoG and GIZ, formed the system-wide and community-based Committee for Judicial Strategy and Action Plan Development (the Strategic Committee). Representatives of 42 state and non-state institutions, including the Ministry of Justice, the Parliament, the President, the Ombudsman, and the NGO Coalition for Independent and Transparent Judiciary, are united in the Committee to develop a judicial reform strategy and action plan. On June 3rd, PROLoG also supported the HCOJ to organize a launch and first meeting of the Strategic Committee. The Criminal Justice Reform Inter-Agency Coordination Council (CJR Council) approved the Judicial Strategy and Action Plan (2016-2020), which reflected all of the major recommendations submitted by PROLoG to the CJR Council. PROLoG's recommendations to make the rules and process of judicial selection and appointment, promotion, discipline, and case assignment, as well as the operation of the HCOJ, more in line with international standards of judicial independence, transparency, and accountability, are incorporated in the Strategy. Related technical support activities proposed by PROLoG are also reflected in the document approved by the CJR Council. PROLoG supported the participation of four Georgian women judges, including the Chief Justice Nino Gvenetadze, Supreme Court judges Eka Gasitashvili, Nino Bakakhuri, and Tbilisi City Court judge Miranda Eremadze, at the International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ) 13th Biennial Conference in Washington, DC on May 26-29. The theme of the conference was "Women Judges and the Rule of Law: Assessing the Past and Anticipating the Future." The Georgian women judges also had a series of meetings outside the conference, including an inspirational meeting with the Honorable Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg at the U.S. Supreme Court, with the Assistant Administrator of USAID Thomas Melia, and with representatives of the U.S. Department of State. The Human Rights Council and Human Rights Secretariat continued to receive institutional support from PROLoG during the reporting period. PROLoG organized a working meeting with the Head of Government Administration and the Human Rights Secretariat to advocate the drafting of a new decree governing the relationship between the Secretariat, the Council, and Council Working Groups. The Human Rights Secretariat considered PROLoG's recommendations and developed a draft decree that includes a clear division of functions among the government, the Human Rights Council, its working groups, and the Human Rights Secretariat. PROLoG also provided two international experts for GYLA and other NGO partners to review the draft Administrative Violations Code and related revisions to ensure that they adequately protect due process rights in accordance with international standards. International experts Professor Lorena Bachmaier Winter and Mr. Peter Pavlin visited Georgia from April 18-22, conducting a series of meetings with stakeholders and participating in discussions on the government's proposed reform package on Administrative Violations. After the visit, the experts drafted a report summarizing their findings and recommendations. The report includes an analysis of the substantive and procedural aspects of the proposed reform package and its compliance with international due process standards. The Coalition for an Independent and Transparent Judiciary carried out public campaign activities in support of judicial reforms during the quarter. The Coalition held a public launch event for the campaign, titled "Justice Demands," which calls for a comprehensive reform of the judicial selection and appointment process, and also raises deficiencies in the judicial disciplinary liability and case assignment systems. The Coalition voiced some of the Campaign's demands in a public forum held on May 11, which discussed next steps for the reform of the judicial system and covered topics such as judicial selection and appointment, admission to HSOJ, case assignment, and the appointment of court