Public Defender: “Population of Abkhazia Breakaway Region Residing Under Toughest Pressure Enjoy no Freedom of Speech”

The representatives of international nongovernmental organizations operating in Abkhazia’s Gali region “often change their names or close their offices due to the constant pressure imposed by separatist government”.

The aforementioned topic is discussed in the Georgian Ombudsman Sozar Subari’s “Report on the Protection of Human Rights and Freedom – second part of 2006” to be examined on April 26 by the Parliament Committee for Human Rights and Civil Integration.

The part of the report regarding the activities conducted in Abkhazia by international nongovernmental organizations says that “according to the information obtained by Public Defender nowadays 3 representatives of international nongovernmental organizations operate  in Gali region  (mainly populated by ethnic Georgians – media.ge). They react to the violations in human rights, support and protect locals suffering from toughest pressure and enjoying no freedom of speech.“

In his report Sozar Subari points out the pressure imposed on the family members of Nino Kvekveskiri  a student from Gali.  Nino Kvekveskiri was interviewed by one of the TV companies. “After the interview the representatives of Special Service arrived in Gali to question the members of her family influencing and forcing them to leave the territory of Abkhazia.”

Besides, “On December 5-6 the authorities of Abkhazian administration provided active agitation for the Georgian locals to make them participate in Sokhumi meeting. Four buses arrived from Sokhumi for this purpose. As a result of threats and forcing 250 people were gathered and driven to the destination”.

Source: Media.ge