On February 13, 2015, members of the Ossetian Forum of the Public Defender presented problems facing the Ossetian community at the joint sitting of the parliamentary committees. The discussion was attended by members of the Interim Commission on Territorial Integrity, Committees of Human Rights and Civil Integration, of Education, Science and Culture, of Diaspora and Caucasus Issues, of Healthcare and Social issues.

First Deputy of the Public Defender Paata Beltadze briefly spoke about one-year work of the Ossetian Forum – the consultation body at the Public Defender, as well as identificationand finding ways to solve problems of ethnic Ossetian citizens. It was noted that during the year, various recommendations and proposals were prepared and sent to state agencies with participation of the Ossetian Forum. At the recommendation of the Public Defender the Ministry of Culture and Monument Protection included restoration of Ossetia house situated in Ethnographic museum in the current budget.

Members of the Ossetian Forum spoke about issues of teaching Ossetian language in public schools in places of compact settlement of Ossetians, training and retraining of Ossetian language teachers and the government programme.It was noted that with funding of the Fund of the President of Georgia the Georgian-Ossetian Science Centre started operation at IvaneJavakhishvili Tbilisi State University. Other issues discussed included problems of Ossetian population who left their houses during the conflict in the nineties and settled in another country. After returning to Georgia they were faced with problems regarding restitution and double citizenship.

The Public Defender is preparing and will present the study on difficulties facing ethnic Ossetians in March.

Members of the Georgian Parliamentary Committees became interested in work of the Public Defender in this sphere and expressed their willingness to closely cooperate with the office.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Culture and Monument Protection, Office of State Minster for Reconciliation and Civic Equality.