Reports
Restrictions on the right to freedom of movement in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region / South Ossetia
31.08.2020
Even though hostilities ended inAbkhazia and Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia years ago, security remains the most important challenge for the residents of these regions. Citizens living in the occupied territories face restrictions on their right to free movement, along with a number of security challenges.

Although both regions are recognized by the international community as parts of Georgia , the central government still cannot exercise effective control in these regions. The Russian Federation, which recognized the occupied territories as "sovereign states" on August 26,
2008, is responsible for the processes ongoing in the above regions. Russia has been providing financial and military "assistance" toAbkhazia and South Ossetia for years. As a result, both regions have become increasingly dependent on Russia and have been isolated from the rest of the world.

Along with social and economic problems, the obstacles to freedom of movement are worth noting. The problem is particularly serious in the Gali district ofAbkhazia and the Akhalgori district of South Ossetia. The de-facto authorities create various barriers to freedom of movement of those, who have not left their homes despite the conflict. The barriers include the introduction of so-called documents and unpredictable closure of crossing points. The above further aggravates the situation, as it cuts off the local population from proper health care services, supply of food and drugs and family ties. The period of preparation of the present report coincided with the long closure of the Mosabruni crosssing point inAkhalgori, which resulted in the humanitarian crisis in Akhalgori. Despite the urgent medical need, people.

Restrictions on the right to freedom of movement in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region / South Ossetia