The Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia and the State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Integration took into account the Public Defender'sproposal on opening of groups (classes) in the Adjara region of Georgia for those wishing to study the Abkhazian language. As a result, teaching of the Abkhazian language was launched in two schools of the Adjara region in January 2017.

The Public Defenderappreciates the fact and notes that the linguistic diversity is an integral part of the historical and cultural heritage of Georgia, while its protection and development should be promoted by the state as much as possible.

"We welcome the fact that Ms. Ketevan Tsikhelashvili, State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Integration, quickly responded to our proposal and took necessary efforts to give the opportunity to the ethnic Abkhazians living in the Adjara region to study the Abkhazian language at school. The roles of Mr. Petre Kankava, Deputy State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Integration, and Ms. Svetlana Kudba, Member of Parliament and a representative of the Abkhaz community of the Adjara region, should be emphasized as well," - said Public Defender Ucha Nanuashvili.

The Public Defender of Georgia pays great attention to the protection of rights and integration of various ethnic groups in Georgia. In recent years, representatives of the Public Defender's Office have been repeatedly meeting with Abkhazians living in Adjara and studying the needs of the community, one of the most urgent issues of which was the study of the mother language.