MINELRES: Seminar on non-conflict repatriation of Meskhetians

[MINELRES moderator]

Original sender: Marat Baratashvili <marat@geo.net.ge>


Dear friends,

We offer your attention the press release of the Union of Georgian
Repatriates.

Best regards,

Informservice of the Union of Georgian Repatriates

Marat Baratashvili,
President of the Union of Georgian Repatriates.

Phone: (995 32) 79 25 10
E-mail: marat@geo.net.ge
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Press release of the Union of Georgian Repatriates

As was informed earlier, in January 2002 the Union of Georgian
Repatriates carried out the seminar devoted to study of experience on
repatriation of deported Crimean Tatars in Ukraine. In March the UGR
carried out the training - seminar based on the international AVP
methodology (Alternative to Violence Project).

On July 24-27, 2002 the UGR carried out the third activity within the
framework of the project "Inter-ethnic dialogues for non-conflict
repatriation", which supports Council of Europe. It was the women's
seminar - dialogue holding in the rest-house "Markhal" near the town
Sheki (Azerbaijan).

6 women-representatives of ethnic majority and minority of Georgia and
4 representatives of deported Meskhetians from Georgia and Azerbaijan
have taken part at the seminar. In the geographical relation the
following regions of Georgia were represented: Samtckhe-Javakheti,
Guria, Imereti, Kartli and city Tbilisi, and also city Mingechevir of
the Azerbaijan Republic.

Participants  of the seminar had an opportunity to communicate with
each other and to discuss a lot of burning questions connected to a
problem of deported Meskhetian population. The thematic discussions
were carried out, video-films about uneasy destiny of Meskhetians and
their life in places of residing were watched  and discussed. The
brain storming on a theme " What  can we  make for repatriation?" was
held. Participants came to a conclusion, that the authorities of
Georgia do not give the truthful information about Meskhetians to
population of the country. Therefore  necessity of distribution of the
printed information about Meskhetians among the population, including
in the Armenian and Russian languages for Samtckhe-Javakheti region
was especially marked. The efficiency of personal direct contacts
between the simple people was emphasized, it was offered to carry out 
meetings of Meskhetians with the representatives of different
communities of Georgia more often. 

The majority of participants, for the first time met each other,
within 3 days got acquainted closely with each other, and also with
"alive" Meskhetians, about which till now had the inconsistent items
of information. 
All participants in written responses have given a high estimation to
the organizer of the seminar - Union of Georgian Repatriates. Before
closing of the seminar the Sheki Declaration of the Women for
Non-conflict Repatriation of Meskhrtians was accepted. 

Other activities of UGR are coming within the framework of the
mentioned project.
Information about a course of the further realisation of the project "
Inter-ethnic dialogues for non-conflict repatriation" will be given to
all interested persons.

Our contacts:
Phone: (995 32) 79 25 10
E-mail: marat@geo.net.ge