During the latest refugee registration up to one thousand persons were deprived of a refugee status. This became apparent after the Georgian Ombudsman’s visit to Pankisi on February 26, 2005. In the opinion of the refugees, it is a result of prevailed biasness and lawlessness.
On initiative of Public Defender Sozar Subari, an independent commission of experts was set up led by Nodar Sepiashvili, Ombudsmen’s representative in the Kakheti region. The commission also unites the representatives from Georgian non-governmental organizations, including the United Nations Association of Georgia and the Liberty Institute, as well as the refugees.
Noteworthy, that the Ministry of Refugees and Accommodation refused to participate in the commission’s activities.
The first information meeting of the commission was held on March 1, 2005, in the village of Duisi in Pankisi Gorge. Similar meetings will be held in all other villages compactly populated by the refugees.
The commission will collect information, study all cases of refusal individually and make particular decisions over each case.
The supreme goal of the commission is to elaborate a report over the impartiality of the reasons for depriving particular persons of a refugee status.