Prepared by Messenger Staff
Public Defender Urges Parliament to Halt Gambling Bill
Georgia's Public Defender has urged Parliament not to proceed with a bill allowing casinos to host international gambling tournaments. The draft legislation and related amendments passed their first reading today.
The Public Defender criticized the expedited process, saying the proposals were being considered "without the involvement of relevant experts or a comprehensive assessment of the risks to human rights."
The statement warns of gambling's potential effects on mental health, minors, family relationships and financial stability, as well as an increased risk of suicide. It also questions the bill's explanatory note, which cites tourism development and economic activity as its goals but lacks a public health impact assessment, an analysis of social harm and input from relevant experts.
The Public Defender also said the basis for the explanatory note's conclusion that the changes would not affect children's rights was unclear.
The statement stressed that the assessment must consider more than economic benefits, saying it "must duly account for potential impacts on health and social well-being, as well as any associated risks."
Civil Activist Says He Was Fined Over Remarks About Margarita Simonyan
Civil activist Tornike Razmadze says he was fined over remarks directed at Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of the Russian state-funded broadcaster RT.
"I was fined 3,000 GEL for using profanity toward Simonyan. Nothing strange, nothing unexpected," Razmadze wrote on social media.
Judge Nino Enukidze issued the ruling in administrative proceedings initiated by Georgia's Ministry of Internal Affairs over a comment Razmadze posted online.
According to the ministry's Division for Combating Hate Speech, part of its Human Rights Protection Department, Razmadze was accused of insulting Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.
Razmadze, meanwhile, said the proceedings against him concerned verbal abuse directed at Simonyan and Vladimir Solovyov.
