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International Day of the Disappeared Celebrated in Georgia

September 1, 2011

Mariam Imerlishvili

August 30th the international day of the disappeared is celebrated in the whole world. The event was also held in the Merab Berdzenishvili International Center Muza dedicated to this day.

The similar event was held in Gori, Tskhinvali, Kutaisi, Batumi, Zugdidi and Sokhumi. The evening was organized by Georgian Center for Psychosocial and Medical Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (GCRT), XENON, Sokhumi Youth Palace, Organization Step to Future and family associations Molodini (Hope), Abkhazian Mothers and Pamiat. The evening was attended by the International Committee of Red Cross, representatives of church and government and family members of the disappeared citizens.

As of today, thousands of people are considered to be disappeared in Georgia. Georgian legislation uses the term “lost” instead of “disappeared.” According to experts, terminology is not the only problem. Georgian legislation needs to be developed and complied with international standards. Georgia is not party to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. Thus the family members of the disappeared are deprived of range of protection mechanisms.

Uncertainty about the fate of their loved ones is the cruel reality for the family members of the disappeared – they do not know whether or not their love one is dead or life and cannot forget the tragic events that destroyed their lives. However, they do not lose hope and try to find the disappeared relative.

“Today is both happy and sad for us, happy because our lost children are remembered, sad because our wounds are renewed. My only son Gia Martiashvili has been lost for 19 years. I express condolences to all mothers – Georgians, Abkhazians and Ossetians. This is our common tragedy. Mother whose child died does not have a nationality. Her nationality is motherhood,” – noted Nazi Martiashvili with Human Rights Center.

During the event, the foundation Molodini and International Committee of Red Cross presented films which tell stories of the disappeared during the armed conflict and violent situations.

The families of the disappeared wait for the answer – what happened to their relatives? International Committee of Red Cross and special working groups work to support these people and provide psychological, financial and other kind of help for them.

“Under the aegis of International Committee of Red Cross the coordination mechanism was created and joint working groups started operating. We trust this collaboration and consider that our joint work for common goal – helping families of lost – will be productive,” – noted the deputy Minister of Refugees and Accommodation Tamar Martiashvili.

At the end of the event the auditory transferred to the exhibition hall where the pictures of soldiers lost in the war were exhibited. The soldiers’ memory was honored during the moment of silence.

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