Tbilisi. The Public Defender of Georgia has released a statement in regard to the 12th anniversary of the August war. “On the 12th anniversary of the August 2008 war, Georgian, as well as both Ossetian and Abkhazian population, living in the conflict zone, still severely suffer from devastating consequences of the war. Facts of unlawful deprivation of the right to life are especially alarming. Following cases of violation of the right to life of Davit Basharuli in 2014, Giga Otkhozoria in 2016, Archil Tatunashvili in 2018 and Irakli Kvaratskhelia, a citizen of Georgia, at the Russian military base in the village of Nabakevi of Gali district of occupied Abkhazia in 2019 serve as evidences. It has to be emphasized that those directly involved in all killings are representatives of occupational regimes.  Freedom of movement turns to be the most serious problem. Facts of decease of people at the occupied territories due to improper healthcare assistance entailed by arbitrary closure of a so-called checkpoint have clearly demonstrated a deplorable human rights related situation and a humanitarian crisis, existing on the territory of the occupied Akhalgori district. Over the years, one of the most problematic issues on the occupied territories remains to be facts of detention of citizens and unlawful deprivation of liberty at the occupation line, beating of detainees, ill-treatment and torture at temporary isolators or prisons.  12 years have passed since the 2008 war. In spite of this, the occupation regime still continues unlawful borderization”, - is noted in the statement. Read more… Source:The website of the organization

Tbilisi. Transparency International - Georgia presented a new website Russianoccupation ge to public today, the website contains information about villages affected by the conflict and Russian bases located on the territory of Georgia. “12 years have passed since 2008. In this war, Georgia lost control over 125 villages; 850 people were killed, more than 2000 were injured, while up to 20000 are still displaced; a creeping occupation continues to this day and our citizens get detained for crossing the dividing line”, - it reminds us. Read more…  Source: The website of the organization in a social network

Tbilisi. The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) publishes a blog post – “12 years since the August 2008 war: Russian disinformation and real facts”. “In 2020, 12 years have passed since the start of the August 2008 Russian-Georgian war. As in 2008, Russian propaganda, related to the Russian-Georgian war, is active today too. Through disseminating disinformation, it attempts to convince population of both Russia and Georgia, as well as the international community that the war in August 8, 2008 was initiated by Georgia against ethnic Ossetians, while Russia was “forced” to perform military intervention into Georgia to “protect” them. In fact, this conflict has a much longer history, which proves that the initiator of the war was not Georgia”, - is stated in the blog post. Read more… Source: The website of the organization

Tbilisi. US Embassy in Georgia published the local statement on the 12th anniversary of the conflict between Russia and Georgia. “Twelve years have passed since Russia invaded the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. August 7 is a somber reminder of the thousands who have suffered and continue to suffer in the wake of Russia’s invasion. Today, we remember residents forced out of their homes and forced to live as internally displaced persons. We remember innocent civilians who died because the de facto authorities closed the Administrative Boundary Lines (ABL) and denied them access to emergency medical care. We remember families torn apart and robbed of their livelihoods by illegal “borderization” activities. As the whole world grapples with the effects of COVID-19, Georgia also suffers from the loss of trade between communities now cut off by arbitrary lines, further hampering economic recovery”, - Is mentioned in the statement, - “Russia’s responsibilities under the 2008 ceasefire agreement are clear: Russia must withdraw its forces to pre-conflict positions and allow unfettered access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance. We also call again on Russia to reverse its recognition of the so-called independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. It is essential for hundreds of thousands of IDPs and refugees to be able to return safely and with dignity to their homes. The United States' commitment to our friends and partners in Georgia remains steadfast. We stand with the people of Georgia and join them in calling for these communities, divided by Russian aggression, to be united once again”. Read more…  Source: The page in the social network

Tbilisi. EU published the local statement on the 12th anniversary of the conflict between Russia and Georgia. “Today marks the twelfth anniversary of the conflict between Russia and Georgia. Despite the many global challenges, the European Union’s commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflicts in Georgia remains as strong as ever. Unfortunately, tensions have remained high over recent months and the Russian military presence in both Abkhazia and South Ossetia continues in violation of international law and commitments undertaken under the 12 August 2008 agreement”, - Is mentioned in the statement, - “The European Union reconfirms its full commitment to the stabilisation and conflict resolution efforts in Georgia, including through its engagement as co-chair in the Geneva International Discussions, the efforts of the EU Special Representative and the crucial role played on the ground by the EU Monitoring Mission. The European Union reiterates its firm support to the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders”. Read more…  Source: The web-page of the organization

Tbilisi. The Georgian Coalition for the International Criminal Court responds to cases of unlawful detention and accusations of citizens of Georgia, including Zaza Gakheladze and Khvicha Mghebrishvili, by Russia and considers these actions as significant violation of fundamental human rights by Russia. “Cases of detention and accusation of Zaza Gakheladze and Khvicha Mghebrishvili, along with other incidents, clearly indicate facts of systemic infringement of fundamental human rights by Russia as well as de facto authorities of Abkhazia and South Ossetia/Tskhinvali region. Responsibility for existing grave human rights related situation lies with the Russian Federation as a state carrying out effective control over territories of Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Occupied territories, as well as actions of representatives of de facto authorities, are uncontrollable and arbitrary, which fact requires a timely and proper response from relevant actors”, - is noted in the statement. Read more… Source: https://www.gyla.ge/ge

Tbilisi. The Human Rights House Network releases a statement in regard to the case of Tamara Mearakishvili. “ We, 60 members of the Human Rights House Network, are deeply concerned regarding the legal persecution carried out by the de facto government of South Ossetia against Tamara Mearakishvili, a well-known human rights defender. The indictment and subsequent legal prosecution done by the de facto government are the consequences entailed by attempts of Tamara Mearakishvili to reveal corruption in de facto South Ossetia. While performing her professional activity, Tamara Mearakishvili exercised her fundamental and legal rights and she, as a defender of human rights, should have respective guarantees”, - is noted in the statement.  Read more… ource: https://hrht.ge

Tbilisi. Humanrights.ge published a brochure “Stories of Illegal Detentions along the Occupation Line in Georgia”.  “This brochure aims to raise awareness regarding the problems and human rights violations ongoing in the occupied territories of Georgia, Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia. The brochure includes the real stories told by the individuals who have been the victims of illegal detention and kidnapping by the representatives of the Russian Federation in recent years”, - Is mentioned in the preface of the brochure.  Read more… Source: humanrights.ge

Tbilisi. The Public Defender of Georgia makes a statement on Archil Tatunashvili’s death in Tskhinvali prison. „On February 23, 2018, the de facto authorities of the Tskhinvali region released information about the death of Georgian citizen Archil Tatunashvili in the Tskhinvali prison. According to the information provided to the Public Defender, Archil Tatunashvili was already dead when he was brought to the Tskhinvali hospital, where the medical personnel said he seemed to have been beaten according to his injuries. The Public Defender urges the occupation force to immediately transfer Tatunashvili’s body to the Georgian authorities for conducting forensic examination to establish the cause and time of death, as well as to cooperate with Georgia for the effective investigation of the case", - The Public Defender mentions. In full  Source: The organization’s webpage

Tbilisi. Women’s Information Center (WIC) express its position following the decision of the occupation regime of Abkhazia about closure of the road, going from Gali to Zugdidi . ''We are deeply concerned about this step, which will cause serious humanitarian problems for the local population. Checkpoints will make studying process even harder for the school children, who will not have direct access to their schools unless they detour. Also arranging so called customs checkpoints on Enguri Bridge will serve as economic pressure for local population. Access to the healthcare services will become harder. This situation contradicts UN security Council resolution 1325, on Women, Peace and Security. The resolution is about protecting humanitarian rights of women and girls in conflict and post conflict environment, which is blatantly violated at present. We demand from the government of Georgia carefulness and caution around this issue and to do its best and stop such behavior of the occupation regime. It is important that this subject is raised during Geneva international discussions, planed on March 28-29. We also call international missions and European Union Monitoring Mission (UNMM) to get involved into the process of solving this problem and to use their all mechanisms for it'', is noted in the statement. In full… Source: The web-page of the organization is the social page

Under USAID and Sida funded project Increasing Youth Participation in Georgia, Europe Foundation conducted Cross-cultural communications training for 10 YB members prior to the leadership conference in Sarajevo. While prejudice, stereotyping, and discrimination were discussed among all Youth Bank members during the Youth Bank methodology training, this training also put specific emphasis on tolerance building and communicating across cultures, in order to heighten the participants’ awareness of key issues around stereotypes, active listening, and non-aggressive communication before leaving to Sarajevo. The trainings also provided a space to address any concerns they had prior to meeting their peers from other ethnic backgrounds and with different perspectives regarding conflict.

Tbilisi. On 16 October 2015 the Public Defender held a round table on the issues of activation of the role of the Ossetian community, confidence building and conflict transformation.  ''There are a lot of problems; it's time for the Government to start working intensively on promotion of education, culture and identity of the Ossetian community. It is important to engage the community in political and public life'', - said Ucha Nanuashvili at the opening of the event. In full... Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. The Heinrich Boll Foundation has organized a discussion on the ''Future of the Geneva Talks: Role of Diplomacy in Conflict Transformation''. The Foundation offers a video recording of the discussion for those who were unable to attend. Read more... Source: web page of the Boll Foundation.

Imereti. The discussion was held on September 26 in the Kutaisi Civic Engagement Center on the conflict in Abkhazia assessed after 20 years and the current reality, at which the conflict-driven changes were discussed. NGO representatives and journalists have delivered speeches during the discussion. The event was dedicated to the day of Sokhumi's fall, concerning which NGOs plan various events on September 27 in Kutaisi.

Tbilisi. "Internews Georgia” "Internews Armenia” and "Internews Azerbaijan” under financial support of the British Embassy from May 2013 has been implementing the 2-year project "Promoting Conflict Sensitive Reporting in the South Caucasus”, with the participation of colleagues from Sukhumi (Abkhazia), Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) Karabakh.  One of the project goals is to evaluate the situation in terms of media coverage of conflicts in the South Caucasus; therefore the expert survey analysis will be conducted for the initial stage. The study interviewed 30 experts from within the target region. The final report and recommendations will be presented to the South Caucasus media representatives, editors, journalists and media managers. The training will take place for the media industry representatives from various groups, including young journalists. In October 2013, the project team will prepare TV programs on conflicts in the region with regard to issues that are transmitted by the leading TVs. Implementing partners web-site will periodically public the conflicts related articles and relevant footage. Source:media.ge

Samegrelo. On March 27, member of the parliamentary majority Giorgi Volski has met with the NGO representatives working on conflict issues in the Samegrelo Region and talked about the restoration of Georgian-Abkhazian relations through public diplomacy. According to Volski, public diplomacy has been discussed earlier as well, but this time he has listened to the opinions of persons who are capable of doing a real work.

Samegrelo. On February 9, the State Minister of Georgia in Reintegration Issues PaataZakareishvili has met with the civil sector representatives. He talked about the prospects of Georgian-Abkhazian and Georgian-Ossetian relations and the new state strategy on conflicts in the hands of the new authorities. After delivering the speech on existing situation in terms of regulation of conflicts, the Minister has responded to the questions the civil sector representatives. The meeting with the Minister in Reintegration Issues, held in the Zugdidi Office of the Civic Engagement Center, was organized at the initiative of NGO "Youth for Civil Interests".

Samegrelo. The initiative group of "Georgian-Abkhazian Dialogue" has organized the discussion in the Zugdidi Civic Engagement Center on August 11 on the situation in the Gali District and the coverage of Abkhazia-related topics in the local media. Representative of the Fund "Taso" KhatiaDzandzua spoke about the situation in Gali. She focused on the safe movement as the most acute problem for those living in Gali. The initiative group of "Georgian-Abkhazian Dialogue", which unites representatives from various civil society organizations, was set up in 2004 and it organizes the information meetings about Abkhazia-related topics with the support of international organization "Conciliation Resources".