Parliament Discusses S.Ossetia Restitution Draft Law

On June 8 the Georgian Parliament launched discussions of a draft law on property restitution for the victims of the South Ossetian conflict in the early 90s.

The draft law on ?Compensation, restitution and restoration of rights for the victims of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict?, which was initiated by President Saakashvili and developed by the Justice Ministry, recognizes the right of all internally displaced persons and refugees to return to their houses if they wish to return and can prove the ownership rights for the property.

The draft law on property restitution envisages the creation of an 18-member tripartite commission ? consisting of representatives from the Georgian, South Ossetian sides and international organizations – which will deal with the appeals submitted by victims of the conflict.

Zurab Dekanoidze, Deputy Parliamentary Secretary of the President, who presented the draft law to the Parliament, said that ?the major part of funding? for the restitution will be allocated from the state budget.

Funding can also come from foreign governments, international organizations, and from private contributors as well, according to the draft law.

MP Levan Bezhashvili, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Legal Issues, said during the discussions that the Venice Commission – the advisory body for constitutional issues ? will again review the draft law. A final version of the document will be presented to the Parliament for consideration during a second hearing, after the draft law is discussed at the Venice Commission.  

MP Paliko Kublashvili said that if the document is approved with its first hearing the Georgian side will ?take a pause? before discussing it during a second and third hearing in order to hold consultation with the South Ossetian side over enforcement of the draft law.

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)