Beyond Poverty Level and In the Street

Alternative Space without Windows and Door Instead the Accommodation for an IDP

Ana Sheshaberidze

An IDP from Abkhazia Mediko Jikia who lives beyond poverty level has been living in the street with her three little grandchildren for over one week. In 2006 she purchased two rooms from an IDP in the building of Abkhazian Court in Kalaubani Street N 6, in Varketili settlement. She created minimal living conditions in the accommodation. The Ministry of Refugees and Accommodation registered her in that address in November of 2007. One year later the accommodation was registered on her. However, the registration happened only after the space was sold to the group of lawyers. One of those lawyers was Davit Jabidze, former governor of Isani-Samgori district in Tbilisi. The group demanded the IDPs to leave the accommodation and evicted them under force.

The government gave alternative space to Mediko Jikia in the building of medical clinic however it does not have a door, windows and normal ceiling. So, instead improving her living conditions they were worsened. So she preferred to live in the street.

The law was breached in this particular case. In accordance to the Article 5, Paragraph IV of the Law of Georgia on Internally Displaced People “before the restoration of Georgia’s jurisdiction on the respective part of the territory of Georgia, IDPs shall not be expelled from their places of temporary residence unless:

a) a written agreement has been reached with IDP;
b) respective space of residence is allocated where IDPs living conditions may be worsening;
c) force major or other catastrophes take place, which entails specific compensation and is regulated according to the general rules;
d) space is occupied illegally in violation of the law.

In accordance to the Article 5, Paragraph 2 of the same law “The exercise of IDPs rights at their place of temporary residence is guaranteed by the Ministry of Refugees and Accommodation together with other executive authorities and relevant local self government bodies, who shall:

f) help IDPs in solving their social and living problems;
g) guarantee temporary residence and food assistance within the established norms in Georgia;
k) guarantee place of temporary residence and emergency aid within the territory of Georgia;

Despite the requirements of the law Mediko Jikia received a remark from the Minister of Refugees and Accommodation Koba Subeliani: “Why did not you break into any other accommodation?” Mediko Jikia said it was the reply of the Minister to her appeal.

Mediko Jikia applied to the Human Rights Center for help.

The Center appeals to the Ministry of Refugees and Accommodation to provide alternative accommodation to the family of Mediko Jikia where their living conditions will not be worsened.