Registration of Chechen Refugees Starts in Georgia

Registration of Chechen Refugees Starts in Georgia

Tbilisi, 27.06.06, ‘Media News’ – The Ministry of Refugees and Accommodation of Georgia started the registration of Chechen refugees living in Georgia. The first round of registrations will start in the village of Duisi, in the Pankisi Gorge. According to data from the last two days, more than 150 Chechen refugees were registered in the Akhmeta region.

Giorgi Kheviashvili, the Minister of Refugees and Accommodation declares that the Chechen refugees are very actively involved in this process, which will help them to find out the exact number of Chechen refugees.

“We still do not have data on Chechen refugees living in Georgia. Probably the number of Chechen refugees is more than 1600. Besides the Ministry of Refugees and Accommodation, the Ministries of Justice and Internal Affairs are also involved in the process of registration. Also we are supported by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). We have confiscated refugee identity cards from more than 900 people who were illegally receiving aid from the UN, which was intended to be transferred to Chechen Refugees,” stated Giorgi Rekhviashvili.

The registration deadline in the Akhmeta region is July 9th. From the 10th to the 25th of July the procedure will be continued in Tbilisi. Every refugee registered in Georgia can participate in the procedure. If any of the refugees are not able to register during these days, for honorable reasons, they should contact the Ministry of Refugees and Accommodation between the 31st of July and 30th of September.