The First Deputy State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality Mrs. Ketevan Tsikhelashvili delivered a report on the fulfillment of recommendations by the Public Defender of Georgia before the Human Rights and Civil Integration Committee session.
Mrs. Ketevan Tsikhelashvili put an emphasis on improved accessibility to healthcare services for the residents of occupied territories, also reflecting on human rights abuse and restriction on the education into native language in Gali district. The integration of ethnic minorities and state-sponsored activities in support of media availability were highlighted as well.
According to the First Deputy State Minister, the number of applicants for healthcare services from the occupied territories has quadrupled. Besides, the state covers 100% of medical expenses for any person who genuinely resides into the occupied territory.
Mrs. Tsikhelashvili emphasized that one of the recommendations dealt with the protection of human rights in the occupied regions. With this respect, the First Deputy State Minister noted that the issue is one of the primary subject of discussion at Humanitarian Working Group at Geneva International Discussions; however the problems of freedom of movement and restriction on the education into native language remain challenging.
According to the First Deputy State Minister, the Government will maintain intensified work for the protection of residents in occupied territories both in Geneva and elsewhere, on international and diplomatic levels, and also by means of public diplomacy.
Assistance to the population in the vicinity of dividing lines was demonstrated through the completion of gasification this year; also the quality of potable water supply has considerably improved; the families who live near the dividing line also received GEL 200 voucher for buying woods in winter; the local students received funding for their education.
Mrs. Ketevan Tsikhelashvili devoted particular attention to the integration of ethnic minorities in her speech, noting that the Government prioritizes fully-fledged integration of ethnic minorities of Georgia into political and social life. State Minister’s Office for Reconciliation and Civic Equality took many important steps in 2015 in partnership with different agencies, including the quality of education and improved awareness of State Language. It should be noted that the quality of education for ethnic minorities is covered under the common strategic vision for the academic process from schooling to graduate studies, in order to improve proficiency into State Language in parallel with mother tongue. With this respect, “1+4” Programme is particularly effective, that will continue in future together with different important activities.
Access to media is another important topic – the news program “Moambe” is broadcasted into Abkhazian, Ossetian, Armenian, Azerbaijani and Russian languages through live streaming. The weekly program “Our Yard” (Geo:. “Chveni Ezo”) ran until October 2015. Channel 2 broadcasts Russian-language analytical program – “Real Time” (Geo:. “Namdvili Dro”). Non-Georgian press is supported through financial support to Armenian newspaper “Vrastan” and Azerbaijani newspaper “Gurjistan.” New media projects are planned in future.