08.2005 - Source: Freedom House

Freedom of residence and freedom to travel is generally respected ("Freedom in the World 2005") [#41311], [ID 6093]

"Freedom of residence, as well as the freedom to travel to and from the country, is generally respected."

Document(s): Open document

28.02.2005 - Source: US Department of State

Freedom of movement restricted in the separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2004") [#29503], [ID 6094]

"The Constitution provides for these rights, and the Government generally respected them in practice. Freedom of movement was restricted in the separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The de facto governments of Abkhazia and South Ossetia did not allow their citizens to exit their respective regions and their internal movement was also often obstructed by police checkpoints. Many who did enter other parts of the country were denied reentry into the separatist regions. Ethnic Mingrelians living in the Gali region of Abkhazia were allowed movement throughout the rest of the country, but were not allowed in other parts of Abkhazia."

Document(s): Open document

07.2001 - Source: Caucasus Institute for Peace, Democracy and Development

CIPDD: Mandatory registration abolished in 1996 ("Georgia's Membership in the Council of Europe, Achievements and Failures") [#10549], [ID 6095]

"Article 22, paragraph 1 of the Constitution states: "Every individual lawfully within the territory of Georgia is free to move within that territory and is free to choose his place of residence". At the same time "Everyone lawfully within the territory of Georgia is free to leave the country; a citizen of Georgia can freely enter the country" (article 22, paragraph 2 of the Constitution). These rights can only be restricted by the law, in order to guarantee security of the state and public safety, namely in the interest of the existence of a democratic society, protection of health, prevention of crime and ensuring justice. With the adoption in 1996 of the Law on Procedures of Registration and Identification of Georgian Citizens and Foreigners Living in Georgia the existing Soviet system of mandatory registration was abolished in
Georgia. This lifted the main legal obstacle to free movement of citizens. According to this law, all persons who are in Georgia on legal basis shall be guaranteed freedom of movement and the liberty of choosing their place of residence in the territory of Georgia. The law established the system of registration for Georgian nationals and foreigners residing in the country. At the same time, the absence of registration can not be considered as a ground for limiting the rights of free movement and choice of the place of residence.
In order to leave and enter the territory of Georgia, citizens need to possess a passport or other document replacing it. The Law On Temporary Exit and Entry of the Citizens of Georgia from/into Georgia establishes detailed procedures and provides for grounds on which a citizen can be refused a passport or it's
prolongation as well as crossing the boarder. This happens if: 1) A criminal action has been brought against a person; 2) The person concerned has a court sentence outstanding; 3) A civil action has been brought against the person; 4) The person has not fulfilled the obligations placed him by a court's decision; 5) The person submits false or invalid documents.
The Law On Emigration provides the rules for Georgian nationals emigrating from the country. For these purposes, they need a passport. Georgian Constitution provides the right of Georgian citizens to enter the country freely both after temporarily leaving the country as well as after emigration."

Document(s): cipdd-geo.pdf