OSCE Parliamentary Assembly's South Caucasus Representative discusses IDP situation in Georgia visit

Kari Henriksen, the South Caucasus Special Representative of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, concluded a two-day visit to Georgia on Thursday, where she emphasised the importance of continued efforts to improve the lives of people affected by protracted conflicts on the territory of the country. 

Henriksen started her visit off with meetings in the Georgian Parliament, where discussions focused on the regional security environment and the impact of the war in Ukraine on the South Caucasus region, the OSCE press office said.

The focus of the OSCE official’s visit was the current situation of the people affected and displaced by the conflicts in Georgia.  She visited IDP housing facilities in the Tserovani settlement for internally displaced persons, and met with IDPs in capital Tbilisi, while also discussing the ongoing efforts of the Government in improving their conditions.

Visiting the administrative boundary line near the village of Khurvaleti close to central Georgia's Russian-occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region, Henriksen was briefed by the State Security Service of Georgia on the impact of the ‘borderisation’ process on the lives of the conflict-affected population living on both sides of the ABL.

Photo: OSCE Parliamentary Assembly

"People should not be subject to restrictions of their basic human rights, but be able to move freely to access health services and education, also during protracted conflicts," Henriksen said. 

During meetings with Tea Akhvlediani, the State Minister of Georgia for Reconciliation and Civic Equality, as well as Ruslan Abashidze, the Chairman of the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, Henriksen discussed the ongoing work of the Georgian Government and international organisations aimed at reconciliation and confidence-building measures.