Occupied Abkhazia reopens so-called border after 26 days, Tskhinvali still closed
The European Monitoring Mission confirmed the reopening of the so-called border between Abkhazia and the rest of Georgia. Photo: EUMM.
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The Georgian occupied region of Abkhazia has re-opened the so-called border with the rest of Georgia yesterday, which was closed on 11 January by the de facto leadership of the region “to avoid the spread of swine flu.”
Erik Hoeg, the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) head to Georgia, tweeted the news yesterday.
#EUMM patrols confirm restrictions in place since 11/01 at Abkhaz Administrative Boundary Line (ABL) were lifted today. Good that commuters can finally cross again. Reopening accompanied by reduction of accepted crossing documents. #EUMM assessing impact. pic.twitter.com/HoniCZGH8h
— Erik Hoeg (@erik_hoeg) February 5, 2019
The occupied Tskhinvali region closed the so-called border on the same day for the same reason; the border remains closed
The central Georgian government has many times condemned the closure, which has created “severe humanitarian problems” for the locals of the regions.
Photo from #EUMM patrol today at Odzisi - main crossing point to South Ossetia. Situation unfortunately unchanged. No people, goods or vehicles crossing since 12/01 pic.twitter.com/B6SfxeODan
— Erik Hoeg (@erik_hoeg) February 5, 2019
Georgian Reconciliation Minister Ketevan Tsikhelashvili says that all steps are being taken by the central Georgian government in all formats available to achieve the reopening of the so-called border with Tskhinvali.
The closure is absolutely unacceptable, creating huge humanitarian problems for locals and particularly for those who have small businesses. The de facto leadership actually keeps locals in slavery,” Tsikhelashvili said.
She stated that those who make such “unlawful and inhuman” decisions in the de facto governments must know that they will have to answer for the violation of human rights.
Two Georgian occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali have been recognised as independent states by only Russia, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Nauru and Syria so far [since the Russia-Georgia 2008 war].
Venezuela may revoke its decision if the interim government manages to preserve power.
The rest of the international community says that the regions are now occupied by Russia.
State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality of Georgia Ketevan Tsikhelashvil ihas criticised the de-facto leadership of Georgia’s occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) for their decision to close the so-called border with the rest of Georgia to avoid the spread of H1N1 flu.
De facto leaderships of two Georgian occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) have decided to close the so-called border with the rest of Georgia to “avoid the spread of H1NI,” the flu which has claimed 15 lives in Georgia.
Twelve days have passed since the closure of so-called borders by the de facto authorities of two occupied regions of Georgia Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) to avoid the “spread of flu.”
Occupying forces have installed a lookout tower at the Khurvaleti village, near the occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region to “exercise higher pressure on locals and check how many people are trying to cross illegal barriers,”, Georgian Reconciliation Minister Ketevan Tsikhelashvili says.
The 91st Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism Meeting (IPRM) in the occupied Ergneti village of the breakaway Tskhinvali region has ended, during which the occupying forces stated that the newly erected lookout tower near the Khurvaleti village was needed “to better control the border.”
Occupying forces have decided to temporarily open the so-called checkpoint in the Akhalgori area, currently occupied by Russia, to allow for up to 200 residents of the territory to leave the district.The closure created serious problems for students, who needed to leave the territory and those who generally visit doctors in the other Georgian regions.
The so-called security committee of the occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region of Georgia says that the so-called border with the rest of Georgia will reopen on March 15, at 18:00.
The central Georgian government has called upon Russia and the de facto leaderships of the two Georgian occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) to reopen so-called borders with the rest of Georgia, which were closed on 11 January “to avoid the spread of swine flu.”
Co-chairs of the Geneva International Discussions welcome the reopening of crossing points connecting the occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region and the rest of Georgia, but say “the closure was not justified”.