Georgian NGOs on the war in Abkhazia

Several NGOs and civilians involved in peace issues have issued a joint statement on the 29th anniversary of the end of the Abkhazian war.

The message of the statement is a call to honor the memory of the victims of war on both sides of the conflict.

The authors of the statement regret that the practice of imperial ambitions and the forceful resolution of territorial conflicts is still the norm in the region.

Full text of the statement

Twenty-nine years after the end of the war in Abkhazia, the date of September 27 again reminds us of the tragedies experienced by the Georgian and Abkhaz peoples and the harsh reality of the ongoing conflict.

The signatories of this statement honor the memory of the victims of the war on both sides of the conflict and express their condolences to their families and loved ones.

For eight months now Russia has been waging a full-scale brutal war in Ukraine, a war causing irreparable damage not only to the Ukrainian people, but also to peace and stability in the world as a whole.

The armed conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia has resumed. Obviously, the practice of forceful resolution of imperial ambitions and territorial conflicts is still the norm in the region.

It is important that in such a difficult situation, Georgia manages to maintain peace and advocate only the peaceful resolution of conflicts. The consistent policy of non-use of force proclaimed by the Georgian authorities should be fully embraced, though efforts made to transform the conflict and protect human rights remain insufficient and weak.

At the same time, the use of issues of war and peace for narrow political interests is unacceptable.

The government is trying to use the military crisis by accusing opponents of allegedly wanting to drag Georgia into the war.

Some opposition parties are using past tragedies to increase their political capital.

Together they use the traumas and fears of the Georgian population as a political weapon that has nothing to do with peace or justice.

Today Georgia is walking “on the edge of a knife”. Against the backdrop of regional instability there is a high risk of Russian interference, including military intervention, in the internal affairs of the country.

Politicians, political parties and government officials must understand their responsibilities and act together to avoid these risks.

Thirty years of armed clashes and unresolved conflicts have weakened Georgia’s political, economic and social resources. They have divided and alienated Georgian and Abkhaz, as well as Georgian and Ossetian societies. They have aggravated the traumas and fears that instantly manifest themselves in times of crisis.

Unsubstantiated talk about the threat of opening a second front in Georgia and the alleged support of the war by Western partners is a political manipulation of these injuries. This, along with many other things, leads to even greater alienation, fear and even hatred towards Georgians, Abkhazians and Ossetians.

It is important to start a new process of peacebuilding and conflict transformation in Georgia based on the following principles:

• Respect for human rights, choosing a policy based on understanding the needs of people and the principle of equality;
• Multi-level, direct and honest dialogue between the Abkhaz, Ossetian and Georgian political, professional and public circles;
• Understanding the traumas of all parties involved in conflicts, admitting mistakes and investigating crimes;
• Tangible, practical and result-oriented policies to address the needs of conflict-affected populations and restore trust between conflict-torn societies.

We the organizations and people involved in peace issues who have signed this appeal call on the Georgian authorities to put Georgia’s long-term strategic interests above short-term, narrow party and personal interests.

Conduct a meaningful, substantive and honest dialogue with each other, the main goal of which will be to obtain the status of a candidate member of the European Union for the country in the shortest possible time.

It is possible to achieve sustainable peace, security and development in the country only through institutional and democratic reforms.

Instead of ignoring current challenges and opportunities, the Georgian authorities should develop new, flexible, mutually beneficial proposals to ensure movement, trade, security, education for conflict-affected people who live on different sides of the dividing lines.

With the involvement of civil society and various political groups, develop a real plan of action to respond to existing security challenges, protect the rights of the population affected by conflicts, and end those conflicts.

The petition was signed by:

Center for Social Justice

Women’s Fund in Georgia

Human Rights Center

Foundation for Innovative Education

Center for Peace and Civic Development

Movement “For Abkhazia”

Solidarity Museum

civic idea

Nino Kalandarishvili, Institute for Conflict and Nationalism Research

Keti Murusidze, peacebuilding and research

Margarita Akhvlediani, GoGroupMedia

Vano Abramashvili, Caucasian House

Michael Jahua, Berghof Foundation

Mariam Tskhovrebashvili, Berghof Foundation

Zurab Bendianishvili, IDP Rights Coalition

Paata Zakareishvili, Professor at Grigol Robakidze University

Ekaterina Gamakharia, Sukhumi Women’s Fund

Nona Khizanishvili, Shida Kartli Civil Forum

David Logua, regional representative of the organization “Fair Elections”

Marina Pagava, Caucasian Dialogue

Esma Gumberidze, youth activist, former Georgian Youth Representative at the UN

Zurab Bragvadze, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor

Khatia Chankvetadze, Peace Researcher

Tsiala Katamadze, lawyer, Batumi

Nana Gogokhia, human rights activist

Zaza Mikeladze, civil activist

David Jishkariani, historian

Medea Turashvili, analyst

Ucha Nanuashvili, former Public Defender of Georgia

Rusiko Marshania

Marine Grigolia, Community Mobilizer, Consent Association

Shota Shvelidze, Conflictologist, University of Jena

Mamuka Kuparadze, Studio RE

Kamran Mammadli, Salam platform

Anna Emukhvari, civil activist, Zugdidi

Inga Shamugia, director of the Caucasus office of the organization “Act for transformation”