TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry appeals to the international community to take measures in order to prevent illegal actions by Russia in the conflict zone.
The appeal comes in response to reports about new activity by Russian soldiers on the de facto border around South Ossetia, where work was restarted to reinforce the demarcation line and install wire fences.
The government of Georgia condemns the actions of the Russian soldiers, which is impacting negatively on the humanitarian conditions of the local population and restricts their basic human rights, the statement reads.
“Unfortunately, the local population is deprived of the possibility to carry out agricultural works as well as of the access to the graveyard and to emergency medical services,” it says. “Such critical situation in Georgia’s occupied regions and adjacent areas once again points to the importance of creating international security and human rights monitoring mechanisms.”
The Georgian Foreign Ministry calls on the international community to assess what is going on and take relevant measures to put an end to Russia’s illegal activities.
Georgia’s Interior Ministry might strengthen the patrolling of the perimeter of the occupied territory close to the village Ditsi.
Kakha Kemoklidze, head of the ministry’s analysis department said after visiting Ditsi on Tuesday that the government will not prohibit locals from moving to this territory, but will strengthen the patrolling of the place, and local residents will have easy access to the ministry’s representatives.
Field talks between representatives of the MIA’s analysis department and the de facto authorities of South Ossetia which lasted for more than an hour, ended with no results. Neither party commented afterward.
Kemoklidze said no agreement was achieved and Russian soldiers will continue the demarcation process; however, the cemetery will not be on the other side of the border.
But locals claim the road which leads to the cemetery will no longer be in Georgian-controlled territory and that is the same as loosing the cemetery.
It is unknown if three private homes will also end up on the other side of de facto border.
The EU Monitoring Mission, which also was present in Ditsi on Tuesday, later issued a statement expressing concern about the installation of fences. EUMM calls on all parties for restraint and to focus on the concerns of local communities.
“Since May 2013, inhabitants of Ditsi have repeatedly complained about the continuous installation of fences and consequences relating to their freedom of movement and livelihood such as lack of access to agricultural land and water,” the statement reads. “EUMM will continue to closely monitor the situation in the area. “
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