31.08.2006 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Government has denied refugee status to the Azerbaijani human rights activist Samedov despite he might suffer persecution if he is returned home; he is accused by Azerbaijani authorities of having organized “mass riots” in Baku during the presidential election in October 2003 and could face a prison sentence of between 5 to 7 years if convicted ("Azeri Activist Threatened") [ID 15871]

Document(s): Open document

30.11.2005 - Source: ReliefWeb

In Caucasus still 1,5 million refugees and IDPs are waiting for durable solutions ("Georgia: Humanitarian and development update Nov 2005 (United Nations Country Team in Georgia)") [#40514],  [ID 5369]

"Today, Caucasus still suffers from the conflicts that have resulted in complicated displacement and migration patterns and a devastating socio-economic situation. More than 1.5 million refugees and IDPs are still waiting for durable solutions - either local integration or return to their place of origin.
Caucasian Refugee and IDP NGO Network (CRINGO) unites over 75 voluntary, independent, non-commercial, non-political local organizations working in the Caucasus with refugees, IDPs and other persons with related status."

Document(s): Open document

15.06.2005 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Despite the ratification of 1951 Geneva Convention relating to Status of Refugees, Georgia´s laws do not comply with international standards ("Georgia and the European Neighbourhood Policy") [#35208],  [ID 5370]

"Refugees
Although Georgia has ratified the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, and has a basic refugee determination procedure, its laws and practice in refugee determination and protection do not comply with international standards. For example, the law does not include the 1951 Convention definition of a refugee, pre-screening mechanisms lead to the denial of registration of asylum claims, there are insufficient protections against refoulement, and there is no protection for those whose asylum claims have been rejected against return to a country where the applicant may face a risk of torture."

Document(s): Open document

24.05.2004 - Source: US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants

Annual report on conditions affecting refugees and asylum seekers in 2003 ("World Refugee Survey 2004") [#22850],  [ID 5371]

Document(s): Open document

31.03.2003 - Source: US Department of State

According to the UNHCR, the Government processed no asylum cases during 2002 ("Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2002") [#11848],  [ID 5372]

"The law did not provide for the granting of refugee status in accordance with the 1951 U.N. Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol. The Government did not provide first asylum. According to the UNHCR, the Government processed no asylum cases during the year. The Ministry for Refugees and Accommodation (MRA) was responsible for the screening and registration of refugees and new arrivals."

Document(s): Open document

31.03.2003 - Source: US Department of State

There were no reports of the forced return of persons to a country where they feared persecution ("Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2002") [#11848],  [ID 5373]

"There were no reports of the forced return of persons to a country where they feared persecution."

Document(s): Open document

09.2002 - Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Report focused on refugees (covering the period between 1 January and 30 June) ("Mid - Year Progress Report 2002") [#47516],  [ID 5374]

Document(s): Open document

06.2002 - Source: US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants

US Committee for Refugees: Georgia signed the UN Refugee Convention in August 1999 ("World Refugee Survey 2002 - Georgia") [#10678],  [ID 5375]

"Georgia signed the UN Refugee Convention in August 1999, after passing a national Law on Refugees in 1998. Under the law, the Refugee Department within Georgia’s Ministry of Refugees and Accommodation is authorized to register asylum seekers and conduct status determinations. However, the Refugee Department has reportedly processed few asylum applications, recognizing only four asylum seekers from outside the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) as refugees since 1998, and processing no applications during 2000 or 2001. UNHCR recognized one family (six persons) as refugees in 2001, and resettled them in Norway.

During 2001, no refugee claims were adjudicated. Three cases (two Iranians and one Afghan) were rejected as manifestly unfounded, and did not receive a merits adjudication."

Document(s): Open document