Abkhazian authorities disagree with HRW's report on refugees

The report "Living with Uncertainty" about the refugee situation in the Gali District of Abkhazia, prepared by the international human rights organization "Human Rights Watch" (HRW) does not reflect the real situation, Maxim Gvindzhiya, the Abkhazian Foreign Minister, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

The report tells about the situation of ethnic Georgians in Abkhazia. The HRW believes that the republic's authorities fail to guarantee for these people free access to a range of civil and political rights.

"This is another invented problem presented from Georgia's words," said Gvindzhiya. "The HRW has failed to make objective conclusions in their report; since they relied on information of Georgian politicians only."

"Abkhazia is not admitted to the international arena; it is forbid to express its arguments and point of view. The HRW did not visit Abkhazia to study the situation in place. How can one make report and talk about problems without knowing the true state of affairs? Western experts, together with Georgian politicians, compile reports on the situation in Abkhazia, without studying it properly, and without providing the floor to Abkhazia," the Foreign Minister has emphasized.

The HRW believes that Abkhazia should provide the former refugees with the right to free movement, change the procedure of granting citizenship and issuance of documents, recognize and respect the returnees' right to use their native language, including in educational establishments. Besides, the HRW has stated the need to introduce independent monitoring of observance of human rights in the Gali District.