Severe Human Rights Violations' Cases in the Occupied Territories
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REPORT of the Public Organization the «International Fund Apsny
REPORT Of the Public Organization The «International Fund Apsny» 2016 The Public organization "International Foundation Apsny" was founded in March 2015 by the following individuals: Sener Gogua, Daur Arshba, Slava Sakaniya, Oktay Chkotua, Maxim Gvindzhia, Asida Inapshba, Sirma Ashuba, Roin Agrba, Beslan Kvitsinia, Astamur Logua, Julia Gumba, Beslan Kvarchia, Erkan Kutarba. The aims of organization are to promote a merger the unification of Abkhazian people around the world. The "International Foundation Apsny" prepares and implements projects that address demographic, social, cultural and other issues related to the development of state. Moreover, the organization develops favorable conditions for the participation of the Abkhazian diaspora in the socio - economic life of Abkhazia. The organization is highly involved in charity work. The «International Fund Apsny» is structured in the following way: President – Gogua Sener Nedzhemovich Vice-President - Gvindzhia Maxim Kharitonovich Secretary General - Inapshba Ashida Vladimirovna 1. Committee on International Relations - Gvindzhia Maxim Kharitonovich 2. Committee on Media and Public Relations - Amkuab Guram Artemovich 3. Committee on Apsuara - Chkotua Oktay Bekirovich 4. Committee on Population and Repatriation - Ashoba Syrma Pavlovna 5. Committee on Economic Development, Investments and Finance - Kvarchia Beslan A. 6. Committee on Culture and Education - Logua Nugzar Chichikoevich 7. Committee on Social Policy - Yulia Gumba Sabrievna 8. Committee on Youth Policy - Agrba Simon Zakanovich -
Freedom of Religion in Abkhazia and South Ossetia/Tskhinvali Region
Freedom of Religion in Abkhazia and South Ossetia/Tskhinvali Region Brief prehistory Orthodox Christians living in Abkhazia and South Ossetia are considered by the Patriarchate of the Georgian Orthodox Church to be subject to its canonical jurisdiction. The above is not formally denied by any Orthodox Churches. Abkhazians demand full independence and imagine their Church also to be independent. As for South Ossetia, the probable stance of "official" Ossetia is to unite with Alanya together with North Ossetia and integrate into the Russian Federation, therefore, they do not want to establish or "restore" the Autocephalous Orthodox Church. In both the political and ecclesiastical circles, the ruling elites of the occupied territories do not imagine their future together with either the Georgian State or the associated Orthodox Church. As a result of such attitudes and Russian influence, the Georgian Orthodox Church has no its clergymen in Tskhinvali or Abkhazia, cannot manage the property or relics owned by it before the conflict, and cannot provide adequate support to the parishioners that identify themselves with the Georgian Orthodox Church. Although both Abkhazia and South Ossetia have state sovereignty unilaterally recognized by the Russian Federation, ecclesiastical issues have not been resolved in a similar way. The Russian Orthodox Church does not formally or officially recognize the separate dioceses in these territories, which exist independently from the Georgian Orthodox Church, nor does it demand their integration into its own space. Clearly, this does not necessarily mean that the Russian Orthodox Church is guided by the "historical truth" and has great respect for the jurisdiction of the Georgian Orthodox Church in these territories. -
Security Council Distr.: General 18 July 2007
United Nations S/2007/439 Security Council Distr.: General 18 July 2007 Original: English Report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Abkhazia, Georgia I. Introduction 1. The present report is submitted pursuant to Security Council resolution 1752 (2007) of 13 April 2007, by which the Security Council decided to extend the mandate of the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) until 15 October 2007. It provides an update of the situation in Abkhazia, Georgia since my report of 3 April 2007 (S/2007/182). 2. My Special Representative, Jean Arnault, continued to lead the Mission. He was assisted by the Chief Military Observer, Major General Niaz Muhammad Khan Khattak (Pakistan). The strength of UNOMIG on 1 July 2007 stood at 135 military observers and 16 police officers (see annex). II. Political process 3. During the reporting period, UNOMIG continued efforts to maintain peace and stability in the zone of conflict. It also sought to remove obstacles to the resumption of dialogue between the Georgian and Abkhaz sides in the expectation that cooperation on security, the return of internally displaced persons and refugees, economic rehabilitation and humanitarian issues would facilitate meaningful negotiations on a comprehensive political settlement of the conflict, taking into account the principles contained in the document entitled “Basic Principles for the Distribution of Competences between Tbilisi and Sukhumi”, its transmittal letter (see S/2002/88, para. 3) and additional ideas by the sides. 4. Throughout the reporting period, my Special Representative maintained regular contact with both sides, as well as with the Group of Friends of the Secretary-General both in Tbilisi and in their capitals. -
A Description of a New Subspecies of Rock Lizard Darevskia Brauneri Myusserica Ssp
Труды Зоологического института РАН Том 315, № 3, 2011, c. 242–262 УДК 598.113.6 ОПИСАНИЕ НОВОГО ПОДВИДА СКАЛЬНОЙ ЯЩЕРИЦЫ DAREVSKIA BRAUNERI MYUSSERICA SSP. NOV. ИЗ ЗАПАДНОГО ЗАКАВКАЗЬЯ (АБХАЗИЯ) C КОММЕНТАРИЯМИ ПО СИСТЕ МАТИКЕ КОМПЛЕКСА DAREVSKIA SAXICOLA И.В. Доронин Зоологический институт Российской академии наук, Университетская наб. 1, 199034 Санкт-Петербург, Россия; e-mail: [email protected] РЕЗЮМЕ В статье приводится описание нового подвида скальной ящерицы комплекса Darevskia saxicola, обитающего на территории Пицундо-Мюссерского заповедника и в районе г. Гагра Республики Абхазия. Мюссерская ящерица, Darevskia brauneri myusserica ssp. nov., отличается от других таксонов комплекса следующей ком- бинацией морфологических признаков: (1) крупный или очень крупный центральновисочный щиток; (2) прерывистый ряд ресничных зернышек между верхнересничными и надглазничными щитками; (3) наличие дополнительных щитков, лежащих по обе стороны от затылочного и межтеменного щитков, либо дробление последнего; (4) сетчатый рисунок на спине (у самок нечеткий); (5) доминирование у самок серого и светло- серого цвета в окраске дорсальной поверхности тела; (6) белое горло и брюхо. Кроме того, новый подвид отличается некоторыми особенностями биологии: биотопической приуроченностью к прибрежным выходам конгломерата и относительно низкой численностью популяции. Предположительно, формирование таксона протекало в плейстоцене. Образование приморской равнины полуострова Пицунда за счет аллювиальной и морской аккумуляции в позднем неоплейстоцене – голоцене разделило ареал мюссерской ящерицы на гагр- ский и мюссерский участки. Эта территория расположена в пределах Черноморского рефугиума восточно- средиземноморских видов герпетофауны. Ключевые слова: Абхазия, комплекс Darevskia saxicola, скальные ящерицы, Darevskia brauneri myusserica ssp. nov. A DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SUBSPECIES OF ROCK LIZARD DAREVSKIA BRAUNERI MYUSSERICA SSP. NOV. FROM THE WESTERN TRANSCAUCASIA (ABKHAZIA), WITH COMMENTS ON SYSTEMATICS OF DAREVSKIA SAXICOLA COMPLEX I.V. -
The Spread of Christianity in the Eastern Black Sea Littoral (Written and Archaeological Sources)*
9863-07_AncientW&E_09 07-11-2007 16:04 Pagina 177 doi: 10.2143/AWE.6.0.2022799 AWE 6 (2007) 177-219 THE SPREAD OF CHRISTIANITY IN THE EASTERN BLACK SEA LITTORAL (WRITTEN AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOURCES)* L.G. KHRUSHKOVA Abstract This article presents a brief summary of the literary and archaeological evidence for the spread and consolidation of Christianity in the eastern Black Sea littoral during the early Christian era (4th-7th centuries AD). Colchis is one of the regions of the late antique world for which the archaeological evidence of Christianisation is greater and more varied than the literary. Developments during the past decade in the field of early Christian archaeology now enable this process to be described in considerably greater detail The eastern Black Sea littoral–ancient Colchis–comprises (from north to south) part of the Sochi district of the Krasnodar region of the Russian Federation as far as the River Psou, then Abkhazia as far as the River Ingur (Engur), and, further south, the western provinces of Georgia: Megrelia (Samegrelo), Guria, Imereti and Adzhara (Fig. 1). This article provides a summary of the literary and archaeological evidence for the spread and consolidation of Christianity in the region during the early Christ- ian era (4th-7th centuries AD).1 Colchis is one of the regions of late antiquity for which the archaeological evidence of Christianisation is greater and more varied than the literary. Progress during the past decade in the field of early Christian archaeology now enables this process to be described in considerably greater detail.2 The many early Christian monuments of Colchis are found in ancient cities and fortresses that are familiar through the written sources.3 These include Pityus (modern Pitsunda, Abkhazian Mzakhara, Georgian Bichvinta); Nitike (modern Gagra); Trakheia, which is surely Anakopiya (modern Novyi Afon, Abkhazian Psyrtskha); Dioscuria/ * Translated from Russian by Brent Davis. -
Land Violation of Children's Rights in Gali District
No Future Violation of Children’s Rights Land in Gali District Contacts E [email protected] W http://truth-hounds.org/en/ https://www.facebook.com/truthhounds E [email protected] W https://www.nofutureland.org/ https://www.facebook.com/Nofutureland/ Contents Executive Summary 4 Introduction 5 Sources of Information and Methodology of Documentation 7 The Rights of Children to Life and Health 8 Right to Education 12 Freedom of Movement 18 Legal Qualifications 23 The Right to Education 24 Freedom of Movement 25 The Right of Children to Life and Health 26 Conclusion and Recommendations 28 Authors of the Report 29 4 Executive Summary This report presents compelling evidence of human rights violations in occupied Abkhazian territories, specifically in Gali district, a predominantly Georgian part close to the boundary line. As for the time of the publication of this report, the people living in Gali are lacking the opportunity to cross the demarcation line without restrictions, they become victims of arbitrary detentions and illegal imprisonment, have limited accessibility to health services and are forced to apply for an “Abkhazian Passports” to get to work, to travel within and out of the region, etc. The right to education of children living in Gali is also violated. Their right and opportunity to education in their native Georgian language are deprived because Georgian was replaced with Russian at all schools of lower and upper zones of Gali in 2015. Children are the victims of “Russification”, ethnic discrimination and suppression of their Georgian identity. The amount of children crossing the boundary line on a daily basis, to study at schools on Tbilisi-controlled territory, is decreasing with every year. -
Axes in the Ancient and Early Middle Ages in Iberia-Colchis Irakli Anchabadze
Axes in the Ancient and Early Middle Ages in Iberia-Colchis Irakli Anchabadze An Axe belongs to the type of offensive weapons, which was used in fierce battles. This weapon was used in metal-paved wooden handle for agricultural purposes as well, so it is often difficult to separate between combat and economic axes. Based on the Archaeological data, we can argue that after spear the axe was the most massive weapon in the ancient Colchis-Iberia. In Transcaucasia the iron axes appeared around VIII century BC. Initially they co-existed with Colchis-Koban type bronze axes and repeat them in form. It seems that at this time they mainly had a military purpose; however, it is also possible that they had some religious function as well, as an evidenced we can talk about the many miniature axes discovered in tombs. The bronze and iron axes are usually found in the tombs in the complex of other weapons (most often spearheads). The number of iron axes significantly increases in the monuments of the VII-VI centuries BC and from VI BC only metal samples are to be found [Esaian.., 1985: 79]. At this time similarities with the bronze axes fall apart and the iron axes develop in their own, peculiar forms. The starting point for the classification of Axes is the parts of the shape, width and proportions. For example, the head may be asymmetrical, which means that the head unequally expands from the haft/handle. A symmetrical axe is when it expands evenly on both sides of the haft/handle. -
5 Abkhazia: Living with Insecurity
5 Abkhazia: Living with insecurity Maxim Gvindzhiya Destroyed building in Sukhum(i) PHOTO: ANNA MATVEEVA Summary When conflict with Georgian forces broke out in August 1992, many Abkhaz were armed only with hunting rifles, though more advanced weapons were soon acquired from Russian troops, either by negotiation or unilateral seizure. The SALW used were mostly of Soviet/Russian origin. Since the conflict ended in 1993, SALW have remained widespread. The local population still feels insecure, and in such circumstances, people are reluctant to hand in their weapons. Tension is particularly high in the Gal(i) region, which lies on the de facto Abkhaz border that forms a ceasefire line with Georgia proper. The government of the unrecognised Republic of Abkhazia has had some success in regulating SALW proliferation. Legal arms sales are better controlled, and the MOI keeps a register of all individuals who possess arms. Legislation has been passed on the possession and trafficking of firearms. However, whenever tension escalates at the border, guns again become more visible in society. 2 THE CAUCASUS: ARMED AND DIVIDED · ABKHAZIA Traditional gun A close affinity with guns and pastoral gun possession, especially in the mountain culture areas, is rooted in the cultural traditions of the Abkhaz. In the past, an Abkhaz man typically provided his family with food by hunting, fishing or farming and these trad- itions remain strong. Today, coupled with the impact of the war, the Abkhaz attitude to weapons is still largely governed by tradition. Traditional Abkhaz culture stresses the importance of firearms in society, and these ideas are instilled in the Abkhaz from birth. -
Terms of Reference (Tor) for Final Evaluation Consultancy
Terms of Reference (ToR) for Final Evaluation Consultancy Project Title: Promoting integrated approaches to animal health and plant protection in Abkhazia Country: Abkhazia Georgia Project Number: 8351-00/2017 Name of Partner Organisation: Action Against Hunger 1. Introduction/Background The project “Promoting integrated approaches to animal health and plant protection in Abkha- zia” has been implemented by Action Against Hunger since October 2017 and will be com- pleted at the end of March 2020. The total budget is 780,000 Euros which is co-financed by the Austrian Development Cooperation. The intended impact of the project is that it will con- tribute towards the reduction of rural poverty in Abkhazia through improved agricultural pro- duction and increased agricultural productivity specifically focusing on those farming commu- nities working in arboriculture and livestock farming, with a focus on south-eastern and central Abkhazia (Gali, Tkvarcheli, Ochamchire, Gulripshi and Sukhumi Districts). The economy of the south-eastern region of Abkhazia is predominately focused on agricultural production; however, the majority of farm holdings are small and non-commercial, with the average farmer holding approximately 0.5 hectares of land. Almost every household has to work on a wide number of agricultural activities to ensure the food security of the household. The scope of activities focuses primarily on arboricultural production, mainly on hazelnut and citruses, but also apples, persimmons and kiwis, livestock farming (specifically, cattle rearing), some potato and corn production, and market gardening, which are primarily for self-consump- tion, with any surplus sold locally. Most products are sold directly by the farmers at the market or to traders who come to the village. -
Lora Gerd Russian Policy in the Orthodox East: the Patriarchate of Constantinople (1878-1914)
Lora Gerd Russian Policy in the Orthodox East: The Patriarchate of Constantinople (1878-1914) Lora Gerd Russian Policy in the Orthodox East: The Patriarchate of Constantinople (1878-1914) Managing Editor: Katarzyna Tempczyk Language Editor: Kerry Fast Published by De Gruyter Open Ltd, Warsaw/Berlin This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 license, which means that the text may be used for non-commercial purposes, provided credit is given to the author. For details go to http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/. Copyright © 2014 Lora Gerd ISBN (paperback): 978-83-7656-030-4 ISBN (hardcover): 978-83-7656-031-1 e-ISBN: 978-83-7656-032-8 Managing Editor: Katarzyna Tempczyk Language Editor: Kerry Fast www.degruyteropen.com Cover illustration: © ivan-96 Contents Preface VII 1 Russian Policy in the Balkans, 1878-1914 1 1.1 Between the Two Wars: 1856-1877 1 1.2 After the Congress of Berlin: Fin de Siècle 3 1.3 The Macedonian Question 8 1.4 Russian Cooperation with Austro-Hungary 11 1.5 Russo-Austrian Attempts at Reforms in Macedonia: The Mürzsteg Agreement 12 1.6 The Bosnian Crisis (1908-1909) 14 1.7 Preparation of the Balkan League 15 2 The Byzantine Legacy in Russian Foreign Policy in the Second Part of the 19th and the Beginning of the 20th Century 20 2.1 Historical Background 20 2.2 The Greek Megali idea 23 2.3 From Pan-Slavism to Imperial Nationalism 24 2.4 Russian Philhellenists 30 2.5 Plans for a Russian Constantinople during the First World War 36 3 Russia and the Patriarchate -
General Assembly Distr.: General 21 May 2019
United Nations A/73/880 General Assembly Distr.: General 21 May 2019 Original: English Seventy-third session Agenda item 35 Protracted conflicts in the GUAM area and their implications for international peace, security and development Status of internally displaced persons and refugees from Abkhazia, Georgia, and the Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia, Georgia Report of the Secretary-General Summary The present report, submitted pursuant to General Assembly resolution 72/280, pertains to the status of internally displaced persons and refugees from Abkhazia, Georgia, and the Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia, Georgia. The report is focused on, in particular, the right of return of refugees and internally displaced persons and their descendants, the prohibition of forced demographic changes, humanitarian access, the importance of preserving the property rights of refugees and internally displaced persons, and the development of a timetable to ensure the prompt voluntary return of all refugees and internally displaced persons to their homes. 19-08099 (E) 290519 *1908099* A/73/880 Contents Page I. Introduction ................................................................... 3 II. Background ................................................................... 3 III. Right of return ................................................................. 6 A. Scope of displacement, return and local integration .............................. 6 B. Institutional framework and operational measures ................................ 10 IV. Prohibition of forced -
GEORGIA Second Edition March 2010
WHO DOES WHAT WHERE IN DISASTER RISK REDUCTION IN GEORGIA Second edition March 2010 Georgian National Committee of Disaster Risk Reduction & Environment Sustainable Development FOREWORD Georgia is a highly disaster-prone country, which frequently experiences natural hazards (e.g. earthquakes, floods, landslides, mudflows, avalanches, and drought) as well as man-made emergencies (e.g. industrial accidents and traffic accidents). Compounding factors such as demographic change, unplanned urbanization, poorly maintained infrastructure, lax enforcement of safety standards, socio-economic inequities, epidemics, environmental degradation and climate variability amplify the frequency and intensity of disasters and call for a proactive and multi-hazard approach. Disaster risk reduction is a cross-cutting and complex development issue. It requires political and legal commitment, public understanding, scientific knowledge, careful development planning, responsible enforcement of policies and legislation, people-centred early warning systems, and effective disaster preparedness and response mechanisms. Close collaboration of policy-makers, scientists, urban planners, engineers, architects, development workers and civil society representatives is a precondition for adopting a comprehensive approach and inventing adequate solutions. Multi-stakeholder and inter-agency platforms can help provide and mobilize knowledge, skills and resources required for mainstreaming disaster risk reduction into development policies, for coordination of planning and programmes,