It’s time for government to stop oppressing IDPs

The IDPs evicted from Tbilisi compact settlements and left homeless, have been using the severe form of protest – hunger strike - in front of the Ministry of IDPs from the Occupied Territories, Accommodation and Refugees for several days now. Four refugees out of 12 sewed their lips shut.

82 year old Luba Todua is the oldest among the people on hunger strike: “I lived in Isani Military Hospital where I was evicted from and now I have nowhere to go. First, I’ll submit a request to government. Then ask to provide an alternative shelter. Is it necessary to die starving for this purpose?!”

Genadi Kekelia, an IDP from Abkhazia: “I think government has become deaf. Several days, I’ve been asking for shelter with no result. It’s time for government to stop oppressing IDPs.”

Nunu Basaria, an IDP from Abkhazia: “It’s been 7th day I’ve sewed my lips shut and started hunger strike. Despite this, the only thing that the Ministry is offering is 200 lari assistance and promises. It’s been long I’ve stopped believing in their promises and if they don’t provide shelter, I’m ready to commit suicide.”

To solve the problems of IDPs, on September the first, the founding meeting of Association for Protection of IDPs will take place, the main purpose of which will be the hindering of mass eviction of IDPs and provision of alternative shelters for already evicted IDPs.