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INTERNATIONAL CRISIS GROUP ANALYZED SITUATION IN GEORGIA TERRITORIES, DENSELY POPULATED BY AZERBAIJANIS AND ARMENIANS
Author: E.Javadova
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Nov 23 2006
In the latest report, the International Crisis Group, examines the
grievances of Georgian Armenians and Azeri Minorities, Trend reports
with reference to the press-release of the International Crisis
Group. Georgia has made little progress towards integrating these
minorities, who constitute over 12% of the population. Armenians and
Azeris are underrepresented in all spheres of public life, especially
government, and lack of dialogue between them and Tbilisi adds to
perceptions of discrimination and alienation. This is aggravated
by economic problems, including high unemployment and decaying
infrastructure. "Tbilisi needs to do much more to build confidence
and to encourage minorities to address their problems through the
state structures rather than on the street", said Sabine Freizer,
Crisis Group Caucasus Project Director. While the government denies
that there is any inequality, many minorities claim they are treated
as second-class citizens. Although the State took a number of steps to
improve the living standards of the national minorities, none of this
is likely to appease minorities political grievances without policies
that increase inclusion and participation. The government needs to
establish a comprehensive education system to teach Georgian as a
second language to minorities, but while a new generation is educated,
minorities should not be discriminated against, especially in hiring
for state jobs. The state should also implement its international
commitments, particularly allowing use of minority languages for state
affairs in municipalities with large numbers of minority citizens,
as it is in Europe.
Author: E.Javadova
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Nov 23 2006
In the latest report, the International Crisis Group, examines the
grievances of Georgian Armenians and Azeri Minorities, Trend reports
with reference to the press-release of the International Crisis
Group. Georgia has made little progress towards integrating these
minorities, who constitute over 12% of the population. Armenians and
Azeris are underrepresented in all spheres of public life, especially
government, and lack of dialogue between them and Tbilisi adds to
perceptions of discrimination and alienation. This is aggravated
by economic problems, including high unemployment and decaying
infrastructure. "Tbilisi needs to do much more to build confidence
and to encourage minorities to address their problems through the
state structures rather than on the street", said Sabine Freizer,
Crisis Group Caucasus Project Director. While the government denies
that there is any inequality, many minorities claim they are treated
as second-class citizens. Although the State took a number of steps to
improve the living standards of the national minorities, none of this
is likely to appease minorities political grievances without policies
that increase inclusion and participation. The government needs to
establish a comprehensive education system to teach Georgian as a
second language to minorities, but while a new generation is educated,
minorities should not be discriminated against, especially in hiring
for state jobs. The state should also implement its international
commitments, particularly allowing use of minority languages for state
affairs in municipalities with large numbers of minority citizens,
as it is in Europe.