Hammarberg insists on opening a human rights office in Gali District of Abkhazia

Thomas Hammarberg, Commissioner of the Council of Europe on Human Rights, finds it reasonable to open an office on human rights in the Gali District of Abkhazia. This was announced today in Sukhumi at the meeting with President of Abkhazia Sergey Bagapsh. The meeting discussed the issues of ensuring human rights in Abkhazia.

In his welcoming word on establishment in Abkhazia of the institute of the Ombudsperson, Thomas Hammarberg has expressed his readiness to cooperate, on behalf of the Commissariat of the Council of Europe, with the Abkhazian Ombudsperson.

In answer to Mr Hammarberg's words, President Bagapsh has noted that he sees no need of opening another office in the Gali District. "The Ombudsperson is actively cooperating with the leaders of the civil society in supporting the rights of the District residents," said President of Abkhazia.

The President has also emphasized that "Abkhazia authorities do not hinder studying Georgian at schools of the Gali District."

"Also, the Abkhazian party doesn't prevent residents of the upper section of the Kodori Gorge, who had been forced to leave their house during the August events, to return home," Mr Bagapsh said.

He has drawn Mr Hammarberg's attention to mass violations of the rights of Abkhazian residents who are rejected their entrance visas by most of the EU countries.

In Sergey Bagapsh's opinion, "this is nothing more but demonstration of the policy of double standards by the countries of Europe". The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was informed about it at the Department of Government's Information.