Human Rights Situation of Persons Affected by and Displaced as a Result of Natural Disasters/Eco-Migrants in Georgia
Georgia is notable for frequent natural disasters. Correspondingly, the problems of people affected and displaced by natural disasters, i.e. eco-migrants, remain to be of much urgency today.
In 2011-2012, The Public Defender of Georgia was frequently addressed by eco-migrants – persons affected by natural disasters and, as a result, forcibly displaced. The examination of applications revealed a wide range of problematic issues which are specifically attended to in this report. The practical work of the Public Defender of Georgia shows that the violations of human rights in this sphere are, as a rule, of a systematic rather than individual and one-off character. Generally, individual violations, too, should be seen as stemming from non-existence of relevant standards of protection. Up until now, the state lacks a relevant legal framework that would govern the legal status of persons affected by natural disasters; neither are there any appropriate guidelines or procedural acts of statutory force that would enable to address the processes ongoing in this sphere in a systematic and structured manner. The observable inconsistent approach and lack of financial resources further exacerbate and add to the existing problems.
Accordingly, the report will address the practices and systematic problems with regard to persons affected by, and displaced as a result of natural disasters/eco-migrants rather than individual breaches. In particular, the report will focus on analysis of the existing legislation concerned with the persons affected by natural disasters, applicable practices and inherent shortcomings, the obligations of authorities and measures taken or to be taken by them, as well as the relevant policy recommendations addressed to different agencies.
