Our organisations called for a prioritisation of the ongoing Georgia investigation by the ICC, for the implementation of an adequate outreach strategy by the ICC that now has a permanent field presence, and a continuous cooperation of Georgian authorities with the ICC as well as the continuation of national investigations and prosecutions into the 2008 crimes.
The forgotten victims of 2008 deserve justice and reparation and their voices should be heard.
The FIDH-HRIDC report was launched on 5 February 2018 in Tbilisi Marriott Hotel with speakers from FIDH, HRIDC, local civil society, as well as Georgian authorities and ICC field office representative.
[New report] The 2008 Russia-Georgia war : the responsibility for providing accountability for the crimes falls solely to the Prosecutor of the #ICC! https://t.co/ni77R7ONxL pic.twitter.com/YT206glrJE
— FIDH (@fidh_en) 5 février 2018
The report launch and mission aimed also at making the situation, views and concerns of 2008 victims more known and present in the public debate.
>Radio Liberty Free Europe interview
The Georgian authorities should provide adequate compensation to victims living near the demarcation line and work towards rebuilding the broken link between communities. Life of people should not be the bargain of geopolitical considerations. #Georgia. @dichristopoulos pic.twitter.com/YiIfHbJBnD
— Delphine Carlens (@D_Carlens) 5 février 2018
People who lost their loved ones, their house, their land deserve a decent life, they deserve effective remedies. The moving demarcation line reinforces the vulnerability and fear of people living near the ABL in #Georgia: @dichristopoulos pic.twitter.com/djgaFl6bFv
— Delphine Carlens (@D_Carlens) 5 février 2018
The report was also presented in Gori on 7 February 2018 to local civil society representatives, members of communities affected by the 2008 war and its ongoing impact, and local media.
Full gathering in Gori for the presentation of the @fidh_en @HRIDC report with local NGOs, victims of the 2008 war and media. Members of affected communities, honoured to see @dichristopoulos, reiterated their urgent call for accountability and adequate reparation. #Georgia pic.twitter.com/U8O2D1lkps
— Delphine Carlens (@D_Carlens) February 7, 2018
After discussions with some representatives of Georgian authorities during the public debate of 5 February, FIDH and HRIDC mission met separately with members of the Georgian government to present the findings and discuss possible actions. FIDH delegates met with the Minister for IDPs and Refugees, representatives from the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Office of the General Prosecutor of Georgia, as well as with the new Public Defender of Georgia.
Meeting of #FIDH delegation headed by @dichristopoulos with Georgian authorities around the @fidh_en @HRIDC report and recommendations. Current situation of 2008 victims discussed and future actions, in the context of #ICC investigation into #Georgia situation. pic.twitter.com/cRSR95IOIA
— Delphine Carlens (@D_Carlens) February 7, 2018
FIDH-HRIDC mission also met with the chief of the ICC field office in Georgia, Kaupo Kand, as well as members of the Georgian Coalition of NGOs for the ICC.
The #ICC should be more vocal and conduct outreach activities. It should take the ongoing impact of 2008 crimes on victims into account when selecting cases in #Georgia investigation. pic.twitter.com/hRLfqZFXkM
— Delphine Carlens (@D_Carlens) 5 février 2018