Doctor Vazha Gaprindashvili has been illegally detained in Tskhinvali for a month. During this time, the Government has been almost daily assuring the family and relatives that the doctor would be released soon. However, we still cannot see the result, which makes us think that the Government relies on the "good will" of the occupation regime.

The illegal detention of Vazha Gaprindashvili in the occupied region has shown that it is necessary to create an additional mechanism that would be agreed with all parties to the conflict and would ensure the safe movement of humanitarian workers.

Doctors, firefighters, environmentalists - this is a small list of professions, the work of which should be protected from any interference. Consequently, it is necessary to make a list of specific people, who would be able to cross borders in critical situations and work safely, and to agree this list with all parties.

We had been watching the humanitarian crisis in Akhalgori for three months. Citizens did not have access to timely and quality healthcare, food or medicines. The occupation forces made a decision to “mitigate” the restriction only on December 2. However, we should not assume that this has put an end to the humanitarian crisis in Akhalgori. According to the organization, significant problems remain unsolved.

Patients suffering from serious diseases are allowed to move to the territory controlled by Georgia only after arriving in Tskhinvali from Akhalgori, which is a threat to the life and health of people with medical needs.  In addition, according to unofficial reports, only the pensioners who receive Georgian pensions alone will be allowed to cross the occupation line. As for the rest of the population, which do not belong to this category, they are still fully prevented from enjoying their right to free movement.

The Democracy Research Institute calls on the authorities to develop an action plan and to respond adequately to the crises that are more or less manageable, notwithstanding the occupation regime. It is necessary to hold negotiations in order to make a list of specific people, who would be able to cross the so-called borders and work safely in critical situations.