These photos depict the everyday life of Gali

For years ethnic Georgians living in Gali (Abkhazia) have been facing double exclusion and marginalisation.

Their legal status and rights are not recognised by the Abkhazian de facto government, and it has been over 20 years since they face institutional discrimination within this system. The legal status of the local Georgian population remains undefined in Gali, and leads to the restriction of different civil, political and social rights for them. Restriction of freedom of movement, restriction of the right to take education in the native language, nonrecognition of property rights, grave social and economic background, corrupt and difficult bureaucratic environment, and challenges related to security – these are the main problems that exacerbate everyday life of Gali population and often compel them to leave their homes.

Additionally, the Government of Georgia is least sensitive to their needs and its proactive efforts for ensuring the safety, welfare and human rights protection of the population living here remains weak and fragmental.

Until the war, during and after, the Gali population had and still has, an experience of coexistence with Abkhazian society. This experience endows special potential and value to this society in the process of conflict transformation. For wthisreason, it is important that the Government of Georgia and other actors see and involve them in the peace process.

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