The 50^th round of the Geneva International Discussions was held on 10-11 December 2019. During the negotiations the issue of release of Medical Doctor Vazha Gaprindashvili illegally detained by the Tskhinvali occupation regime was raised with particular emphasis. The representatives of the EU, UN, OSCE and the US unanimously demanded the immediate release of Georgian Doctor from the illegal custody.

The Georgian delegation sharply raised the issue of extremely deteriorated security and human rights situation in Georgia’s Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions, as well as in the villages adjacent to the occupation line. The recent increased provocations by Russia and its occupation regimes were emphasized in this context, namely the illegal activities of occupation forces in the vicinity of village Chorchana, erection of barbed wire fences, closure of the occupation line, and frequent cases of kidnappings, etc.

The grave humanitarian situation in Gali and Akhalgori districts was raised with particular emphasis, including the restrictions imposed at the occupation line and the isolation of local population from the rest of Georgia.

During the discussions, ethnic discrimination and oppression of Georgians living in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions were stressed. The Georgian delegation sharply raised the issue of prohibition of education in native language for Georgians living in the occupied territories as part of the deliberate russification of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions.

The necessity of execution of justice with regard to cases of murder of Davit Basharuli, Giga Otkhozoria and Archil Tatunashvili, as well as the issue of death of another Georgian citizen Irakli Kvaratskhelia at Russian military base illegally stationed in the occupied Abkhazia region was once again raised.

One of the core issues of the agenda was the safe and dignified return of internally displaced persons and refugees, who have been forcibly expelled from Georgia’s Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions as a result of ethnic cleansing. The representatives of the EU, UN, OSCE, the US and Georgia underlined the necessity of substantial discussions on this topic. However, with the encouragement and leadership of the Russian delegation, the participants from Moscow, Sokhumi and Tskhinvali again walked out of the negotiations.

The next round of GID will be held on 31 March and 1 April 2020.