The U.S. Department of State has released its 2020 Human Rights report on Georgia. The piece of the document on the occupied territories are especially noteworthy, where the Democracy Research Institute (DRI) highlights a significant problem. 

On November 27, the Georgian Democracy Research Institute (DRI) reported de facto South Ossetian authorities were using a “family reunification program” to relocate residents of South Ossetia to live with family members in Tbilisi-administered territory. Persons accepted to the “program” reportedly received “exit documents” from the de facto authorities, according to which they would not be allowed to return and reclaim property in South Ossetia.

DRI raised particular concerns about the long-term effects of this program on residents of Akhalgori.