Refugees in Georgia demand resignation of Minister in charge of IDPs

On October 25 in Tbilisi refugees broke a tent camp at the Ministry for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Refugees and Accommodation, demanding resignation of Minister Koba Subeliani. Refugees believe that the government fails to address their housing problems; while the Ministry finds their claims to be ungrounded.

On October 25, in five tents ten persons on hunger strike; and about 40 refugees went on a sit-down strike.

David Malazoniya, leader of the public movement of refugees, told journalists that refugees, who now stay in the open air, are waiting for a week already for accommodation in new places; thus, they want to know the exact date of their settlement, the "Georgia Online" reports.

"3500 refugees were driven out of their houses, while 15,000 have no yet legalized their new residences," said Malazoniya.

The protest action was supported by conservative Lasha Chkhartishvili and one of the leaders of the People's Party Alexander Shalamberidze.

The Ministry for Refugees' Matters believes the protesters' claims to be ungrounded. Eka Gulua, spokesperson of the Ministry, said that refugees were provided with residences in Western Georgia.

However, refugees themselves refuse to move to remote areas for fear not to find employment there, the "Echo of the Caucasus" reports.