GYLA: Georgian Banks Threaten IDPs with Imprisonment

Georgian Young Lawyers Association protests imposing fines for unpaid tax and bank debts on internally displaced people from conflict zone after the August war.

On the first day of International Week of Human Rights the GYLA presented a film on the problems the IDPs have regarding bank and tax debts. The film demonstrated concrete facts.

Tamar Khidasheli, the chairperson of the GYLA, stated that after the war IDPs were fined by the state for not having paid taxes; it is completely unfair and unacceptable action. Khidasheli stated that another problem is debts of IDPs in banks for what these people endure psychological and moral oppression.

“The state should interfere and participate in the resolution of these problems. These people were in forts-major situation. The GYLA has already petitioned to Georgian banks and requested to envisage some kind of discounts for the IDPs. Various banks sent various replies.

“Several banks did not consider urgent situation of these people and fined them for having debts in their banks; furthermore, they were included on the black list. There was one occasion when one of the banks sent security service officers to the family and threatened the debtor with imprisonment. These people are under serious psychological and moral oppression. They are afraid to answer phone calls thinking there are called from banks,” said Tamar Khidasheli.

Source: Medianews