On January 20, 2014, The Public Defender presented a special report on social, economic and legal situation of population of the village of Zardiaantkari of Gori Municipality to representatives of non-governmental organizations working in Shida Kartli region. The event was held at Gori Development Inclusion Centre.

At the meeting held with Governor of Shida Kartli Zurab Rusishvili the Public Defender discussed human rights situation in villages affected by the conflict and problems existing in the region.

Afterwards, the Public Defender went to visit the village of Zardiaantkari and personally presented the report to its residents.

The Georgian authorities reinstated their authority over the village of Zardiaantkari in summer of 2012. Though, due to acute social, economic and infrastructural problems people are unable to return to the village. Around 30 families affected by the conflict continue to live in a kindergarten building in Gori.

Majority of houses in the village are damaged and unsuitable for habitation. Though, compensation in the amount of 15 000 USD was only allocated to 3 families whose houses were completely burnt down during the war.

Despite intensive rehabilitation works the village still remains without drinking and irrigation water, there is no gas supplied to the residents.

For decent return of the population of Zardiaantkari and for improvement of demographic situation in the village, the Public Defender prepared recommendations for local and central authorities.

Central authority bodies (the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development; the Ministry of Energy):

- to complete rehabilitation of drinking and irrigation water supply system in Zardiaantkari in the shortest period possible;

- to finish installing gas supply system in Zardiaantkari in the shortest period possible;

Temporary Government Commission for responses to needs of population affected of villages adjacent to the demarcation line:

- to introduce a question of provision the residents temporarily housed in the kindergarten with firewood or natural gas and subsidizing their electricity bills;

- In the shortest period possible to discuss the issue of rehabilitation of houses of residents of Zardiaantkari and to launch restoration of damaged houses;

- to take into consideration the issue of subsidizing agricultural activities of residents of Zardiaantkari at least for three years in his draft strategy for socio-economic development of the population of conflict-affected regions;

- to inform the population on concrete timeframes for realization of planned state government programmes.

Gori municipal authorities:

- to take timely measures to provide heating to population that remain in Zardiaantkari in winter and to distribute sums allocated for purchase of firewood in the nearest future;

- to provide information to residents of Zardiaantkari on planned programmes in a timely manner;

- to complete work that was started on drinking water wells in Zardiaantkari on time.

See an Electronic Version of the Special Report