Statement of Georgian National Platform on the so-called Presidential Elections and Referendum held in Tskhinvali Region

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"


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