Georgia:Tea Akhvlediani meets Interagency Commission for Search&Repatriation of Missing Persons

Tbilisi: Under the leadership of the Georgian State Minister for Reconciliation and Civil Equality, Tea Akhvlediani, another meeting session of the Interagency Commission for the Search and Repatriation of Missing Persons as a result of armed conflicts was held.

The Minister of State opened the meeting of the inter-departmental commission and focused on the process of finding missing persons as a result of the armed actions of the 1990s and the August 2008 Russia-Georgia war, as well as ensuring its further sustainability and effectiveness.

Special emphasis is placed on determining the fate and whereabouts of disappeared persons, supporting their families, and promoting the restoration of trust among the artificially separated population.

 At the session, according to the topics provided by the agenda, the current issues of the process of searching for missing persons, existing challenges and future visions were discussed. 

The efforts made during the year in intensive cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross were noted, especially attention was focused on the activities and achieved results within the framework of thematic working groups, under the coordination of the Office of the State Minister.

 “As you know, according to the recommendations developed at the initiative of the International Committee of the Red Cross, this year we started discussions and consultations with the Red Cross regarding the process of transformation of the missing persons search program in Georgia, which, to a large extent, implies a gradual increase in the role of relevant state agencies involved in the program. 

 “At the meeting, we summarized the activities carried out, the results achieved and discussed the future plans and specific issues that will be aimed at further increasing the effectiveness of the program, strengthening coordinated actions between relevant state agencies, more active communication with families, and most importantly, appropriate search for more missing persons,” State Minister Tea Akhvlediani said.

The inter-departmental commission was established on October 24, 2019 by the resolution of the Government of Georgia. With the efforts of the agencies involved in the process and within the framework of the coordination mechanisms operating under the auspices of the International Committee of the Red Cross, the search for missing persons as a result of the armed actions of the 1990s and the August 2008 Russia-Georgia war is actively being carried out.

The process of tracing, identifying and handing over to families. So far, the remains of 230 people have been identified and handed over to their families.