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CoE Human Rights Commissioner: People in Buffer Zones Face Difficult Conditions

November 14, 2008

Council of Europe demands that the monitoring mission of European observers continued in the so-called buffer zones of Georgia. CoE’s Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hamerberg personally informed Temur Iakobashvili, State Minister for Integration about the results of his visit to the conflict zone today.

Hamerberg says that the movement within the buffer zone is being restricted and locals are living under conditions of grave financial and emotional conditions. “We have been able to mainly negotiate about the removal of dead bodies from the contested buffer zone to the territory that is controlled by Georgian government. Every family must have right to receive information on their missing relatives,” stated Thomas Hamerberg.

He also said that the negotiations on conducting DNA analysis to positively identify those bodies. Hamerberg said that unfortunately the situation is not satisfactory in the buffer zone both in terms of security and financial conditions faced by locals.

Temur Iakobashvili agrees with Hamerberg’s findings and recommendations.

“He confirmed the information that the situation in the buffer zone is rather grave, the free movement of people is restricted. It is very important for us (Georgia) that the CoE decided to start monitoring the situation in the occupied territory on a regular basis,” stated Iakobashvili and further noted:

“The truth the Georgian Government is spreading must be confirmed by the international organizations. It is very important for us that Council of Europe, an authoritative organization is involved in this process.”

Source: Media News

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