Shorena Latatia
On October 27, IDP from Abkhazia Nana Pipia tried to burn herself by petrol in front of the ministry of the IDPs from the occupied territories, accommodation and refugees of Georgia. At the moment she is in the national center for burnt diseases and the doctors cannot make any prognosis about the development of her health conditions in future. More than 30 percent of her body was burnt and medically it is singe of the second and third degree.
“I might have already lost all chances, but I hope this fact will assist you and they will pay attention to you - Nana Pipia told me before she was taken to hospital. At that moment, I heard a man told somebody on the phone – “It was a staged performance”… Today Nana Pipia burnt herself; tomorrow I will do the same; the day after tomorrow one more IDP will follow us and I hope the ministry will finally realize that similar facts cannot be staged and will stop making fun of us,” said IDP from Abkhazia Manana Kadaria to the representative of the Human Rights Center at the scene of incident.
According to IDPs, Nana Pipia tried to burn herself after she conversed with the head of social department of the ministry Grigol Tughushi.
“On the previous day, Pipia left the ministry very astonished. Tughushi told her – “we will give you accommodation in Potskhoetseri.” Pipia complained –‘What shall I do there, how can I earn my living there?” and Tughushi replied to her “you can eat grass.” When the ministry of IDPs calls you a cow, what else should you expect from other people! We have been here for 18 days already and we have not heard any proper answer from the officials of the ministry yet. They pass by us without looking at us; as if we are not people. We are ordinary cattle for them and nothing more,” said Kadaria.
The ministry of IDPs from the occupied territories, accommodation and refugees of Georgia spread information about the incident. “Nana Pipia, who tried to burn herself in front of the ministry of the IDPs from the occupied territories, accommodation and refugees, lived in Zugdidi till 2000. Afterwards, she moved to Tbilisi and lived at her relatives’. The ministry offered the woman an accommodation in the region but she declined it. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate every IDP in Tbilisi. Consequently, the ministry offers completely renovated accommodations in various regions of Georgia to the IDPs who do not have shelter at all. The ministry will cover expenses of Nana Pipia’s medical treatment.”
“As you see, the ministry does not assist the IDPs; just the opposite, they make people to commit suicide. According to IDPs, Pipia burnt herself after her conversation with certain Tughushi. Of course, we have to check this information but we categorically demand to punish the official after whose conversation the IDP decided to burn herself,” said member of the National Committee of the Conservative Party Lasha Chkhartishvili in his interview with the Human Rights Center. He arrived at the place of incident immediately.
The protest demonstration in front of the ministry of IDPs from the occupied territories, accommodation and refugees has been underway for 18 days already. There are eight tents set up in the yard of the ministry and part of IDPs is on hunger strike.
“I have been on hunger-strike for nine days already and I will not leave the area until they give me a shelter! If it is necessary I will apply to graver form of protest and sew up my mouth. I have nowhere to go; if I had I would not stay here. I had been renting flat for 17 years and I think it is high time for the ministry to pay attention to me,” said IDP from Abkhazia Tamaz Jghamadze.
“I have been renting flat for several years already. I had to change the flat because of financial problems several times. My children go to 9th and 10th form of the public school and if we move to another place they will have to change school – it will be one more psychological trauma for them. President said computerization started in the country and every pupil should have a computer at home. Do not my IDP children deserve the right to study in one school throughout one school-year and receive normal education?” asked IDP from Abkhazia Nunu Khubua.
The ministry of IDPs from the occupied territories, accommodation and refugees offered alternative accommodation in various regions of Georgia. However, IDPs are against moving to the regions of Georgia because their family members either work or study in the capital and they think that moving to another place will worsen their conditions.
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