Protection of Internally Displaced Persons in Georgia: A Gap Analysis This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Union. July 2009 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS..................................................................................................................................... 2 List of Abbreviations ........................................................................................................................................... 4 Executive Summary............................................................................................................................................. 6 1. Context ...................................................................................................................................................... 10 1.1. Demographic profile .......................................................................................................................... 10 1.2. Meaningful participation.................................................................................................................... 10 1.3. Solution Oriented Approach .............................................................................................................. 11 1.5.1. Focus on return as the only durable solution ................................................................................. 11 1.5.2. Humanitarian space and access...................................................................................................... 11 2. Institutional Protection Framework ........................................................................................................... 11 2.1 Applicable international and regional laws........................................................................................ 11 2.2 National legal framework .................................................................................................................. 12 2.3 Institutional framework...................................................................................................................... 14 2.4 Partnerships........................................................................................................................................ 15 3. Protection from the effects of Armed Conflict .......................................................................................... 16 3.1 Security in IDP areas ......................................................................................................................... 16 3.2 Security in return areas ...................................................................................................................... 16 4. Security from Violence and Exploitation .................................................................................................. 17 4.1 Forced and child recruitment ............................................................................................................. 17 4.2 Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV)....................................................................................... 17 4.3 Child risk prevention and response.................................................................................................... 20 4.4 Persons with disabilities and older persons ....................................................................................... 21 5. Equality before the Law............................................................................................................................. 21 5.1 Identity documents............................................................................................................................. 21 5.2 Birth certificates and other civil status documents ............................................................................ 21 5.3 IDP Registration................................................................................................................................. 22 5.4 Policing .............................................................................................................................................. 23 5.5 Access to the national justice system................................................................................................. 23 5.6 Freedom of movement and choice of residence ................................................................................ 23 6. Participation in Public Life ........................................................................................................................ 24 6.1 Participation in political processes and in public life ........................................................................ 24 6.2 Internal community structures ........................................................................................................... 24 7. Right to Food, Water, and Housing ........................................................................................................... 25 7.1 Right to food ...................................................................................................................................... 25 7.2 Right to potable water........................................................................................................................ 25 7.3 Adequate housing............................................................................................................................... 25 8. Right to Health Care and Education .......................................................................................................... 26 8.1 Access to health care.......................................................................................................................... 26 8.2 HIV / AIDS........................................................................................................................................ 27 8.3 Education ........................................................................................................................................... 27 8.4 Safe and non-discriminatory educational facilities............................................................................ 28 8.5 Higher education and vocational training.......................................................................................... 28 9. Right to work, social security, land and property...................................................................................... 29 9.1 Legislation related to IDP employment ............................................................................................. 29 9.2 High unemployment........................................................................................................................... 29 9.3 Access to Land................................................................................................................................... 30 9.4 Income and livelihood schemes......................................................................................................... 30 9.5 Property restitution mechanisms........................................................................................................ 30 10. Durable solutions ................................................................................................................................... 31 10.1 Free and informed choice................................................................................................................... 31 10.2 Return and relocation travel............................................................................................................... 31 11. Context................................................................................................................................................... 33 11.1 Causes of displacement...................................................................................................................... 33 11.2 Demographic profile .......................................................................................................................... 33 2 12. Humanitarian space and access.............................................................................................................. 34 13. Institutional protection framework ........................................................................................................ 35 13.1 National legal framework (changes after August 2008 conflict)....................................................... 35 13.2 Institutional framework...................................................................................................................... 36 13.3 International organizations, NGOs and Partnerships......................................................................... 36 14. Security in the conflict affected areas and the right to life .................................................................... 39 15. Equality before the Law......................................................................................................................... 40 16. Right to Food, Water, and Housing ....................................................................................................... 40 16.1 Right to food ...................................................................................................................................... 40 16.2 Right to potable water