We would like to respond to the presidential elections and the referendum held in the occupied territories, namely, in Tskhinvali region with the intent to change the existing name to "Republic of South Ossetia - State Alania".
Assuming that even after nine years since the end of the active phase of the conflict, tens of thousands of people are still unable to return to their homes and live a peaceful life, the so-called elections in these territories may not have anything in common with democratic processes.
Even more alarming is the attempt to change the name of the territory, which might be Russia’s intention to annex the territories in the future.
We welcome the assessment provided by international community of the illegitimate elections, which, in our observation has been constructed on the principles of respect for Georgia's territorial integrity.
In addition, we would like to call on the parties to further strengthen efforts to resolve the conflict in a peaceful way and return internally displaced persons to their homes.
Signatories:
Georgian Young Lawyers' Association
Rondeli Foundation
Liberal Academy Tbilisi
Institute for Development of Freedom of Information
World Experience for Georgia
Georgia International Development Agency
Local Democracy Agency Georgia
Public Defender
International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy
Human Rights House Tbilisi
Economic Policy Research Center
Georgian Energy Resources Effective Usage Association
Human Rights Center
Association "Atinati"
Youth Alternative
Association of Business Consulting Organizations of Georgia
Association "School-Family-Society"
Transparency International Georgia
Caucasus Environmental NGO Network
Association of Georgian Regional Broadcasters
EU-Georgia Business Council
Free choice
Cultural Humanitarian Fund "Sokhumi"
Civil Council for Defense and Security
Association of European Studies for Innovative Development of Georgia
Georgian Institute of Geostrategic and Euro-Atlantic Integration Studies
New Generation for Democratic Georgia
Georgian Institute of Politics
Young Socialists of Georgia
British International Organization Oxfam
Youth association “Droni”
Bridge of Friendship “Kartlosi”
Rural Communities Development Agency
Student-Youth Council
Scientists Union of Imereti Region "Spectri"
Association for Farmers Rights Defense
Anti-Violence Network of Georgia
Coalition for Independent Living
Women's Initiatives Supporting Group
Civil Society Institute
IDP Women Association "Consent"
Institute for Nationalism and Conflict Studies
Union “Article 42 of the Constitution”
Georgian Association "Women in Business"
International Centre for Geopolitical Studies
Association of Tea Producers Georgia "Georgian Tea"
Foundation "Caucasus Environment"
Foundation "Multi-Ethnic Resource Center on Civic Education Development”
Association "Mercury"
Union for Sustainable Development "EcoVision"
Center "Empathy"
Repatriates’ Union
Energy Efficiency Foundation
Junior Achievement of Georgia
Union "Women's Initiative for Equality"
