The NGOs Criticized the Modalities on the Conduct of Activity in the Occupied Territories

Salome Achba

On November 30th, the Modalities on the Conduct of Activity in the Occupied Territories were discussed in the Human Rights House. The meeting was organized by the Human Rights House, Georgian Young Lawyers Association and the Institute of War and Peace. The representatives of international and local NGOs, and the diplomats accredited in Georgia from the European Union, Euro Commission, Lithuania, France, Czech Republic, Switzerland and other embassies took part in the meeting.

The Modalities on the Conduct of Activity in the Occupied Territories adopted on October 15th by the Georgian government was criticized by the representatives of the NGOs. It was noted that this document already created certain problems for different NGOs “while conducting the activity in the occupied territories,” – stated the representative of Institute of War and Peace, Giorgi Kupatadze.

“The main target group of this document is local and international organizations. However, this document was adopted and published without consulting with them. The civil society representatives did not have an opportunity to collaborate with the government to present their recommendations concerning this regulation. The regulation went into force right when it was published. The process of its adoption contradicts very important principle of transparency of governmental bodies,” – stated Tamar Khidasheli, representative of GYLA.

At the end of the meeting, the remarks were summed up and the text of address to the State Minister of Reintegration Ekaterine Tkeshelashvili was drawn out. The participants requested the meeting with the Minister to share their opinions and remarks on Modalities on the Conduct of Activity in the Occupied Territories.

The full text of the address and the list of signatories will be published on humanrights.ge in these days.