(Tbilisi, Civil Georgia, December 4, 2002) – We believe that any returns of displaced Chechens from that region where they have sought safe haven, should be voluntary, without pressure or coercion,” Philip Reeker, Deputy Spokesman of the US Department of State said at the briefing on December 3.
US official commented on the closure of the Aki Yurt camp for displaced Chechens in Ingush Republic by the Russian authorities.
“We’re very concerned about this camp closure, which is essentially a forced eviction,” Philip Reeker said.
Georgia also received thousands of Chechen refugees fled from Chechnya in 1999 when the second war launched. At the moment up to 3,800 Chechen refugees live in Georgia’s Pankisi gorge.
Early this year Georgian and Russian authorities agreed to cooperate in repatriation of the Chechen refugees. Georgian officials favor only the voluntary repatriation.
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