On May 4, 2018, Public Defender Nino Lomjaria provided information to representatives of the NGOs working on the rights of conflict-affected persons about the rights situation of the conflict-affected population reflected in the parliamentary report 2017 and listened to their opinions and assessments.

The rights situation in the occupied territories and along the dividing line, the so-called borderization process and violation of property rights, integrity and freedom of a person were discussed at the meeting. Unfortunately, illegal detentions, restrictions on movement, prohibition of education in the native language, access to health care and severe social-economic conditions are part of the everyday life of conflict-affected communities.

There is a particularly alarming situation in the Gali district, where population becomes increasingly isolated day by day as a result of the de facto government’s policy; their rights to education and health care, opportunities for small trade for a living, family connections and many other needs are restricted. And the situation is more complicated by the loss inflicted by Asian bugs.

Rehabilitation of the houses damaged during the war remains unresolved for years. The Public Defender once again recommended the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development and the Office of the State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality to support the decision on rehabilitation of the houses damaged by conflicts on the territories controlled by Georgia and compensation for the losses within the framework of the Temporary State Commission Addressing the Needs of Population Living in Villages Adjacent to the Dividing line.

It was noted at the meeting that the Public Defender welcomes the peace initiative of the Government of Georgia– A Step for a Better Future and is going to engage in the governmental and parliamentary discussions in order to express her opinions and proposals.