24 January 2011, 18:00
In Georgia, refugees getting ready to apply for asylum in the West
The displacement persons are going to lodge petitions for political asylum to the Embassies of the USA and European countries. This was announced today at a briefing, organized by the "Refugees' Civil Movement" in front of the Parliament of Georgia.
Refugees also intend to seek assistance from the embassies of foreign countries and to send complaints to the Strasbourg Court. Lawyers Liya Mukhashavriya and Nino Tsikhiseli are already preparing the complaints. One of the main reasons why refugees refuse to resettle to the countryside is the absence of job opportunities there.
Refugees have been already moved out of 11 buildings. Members of the EU Mission were watching the eviction process.
On January 25, thirty NGOs plan to hold a meeting to discuss the mass eviction of refugees from their residences. As stated by Nino Tsikhistavi, head of the organization "Priority of Human Rights", the meeting will be held behind closed doors. According to her story, the NGOs are protesting against barbaric methods of evicting refugees and prepare legal documents to protect their rights.
Koba Subeliani, Minister of Georgia for Matters of Internally Displaced Persons, Refugees and Accommodation, told journalists, in his turn, that the authorities are providing - with the help of foreign donors - small loans to resettled families to start their small agricultural businesses.
Author: Alena Aleshenko Source: CK correspondent
