On December 26, 2025, the Public Defender of Georgia, Levan Ioseliani, met with residents of the so-called “Meore Shakhta” settlement in the village of Vale, Akhaltsikhe Municipality, where more than 150 people live in difficult conditions. Their residential buildings are dilapidated, the settlement does not have natural gas, central sewage or heating systems. The population has been demanding the construction of new housing instead of the old 24 buildings for years.

According to the population, local government representatives have promised to fulfill their request, although they do not have information about a specific plan.

The population also particularly highlights the poor infrastructural condition of the village school and demands that children who go to the neighboring village school be given the opportunity to use public transport.

The Public Defender continues to monitor human rights in the regions of Georgia and will continue to pay special attention to the rights situation of vulnerable groups and social issues.