Malaysia's Support On Return Of IDPs Important - Georgian Envoy

By Nabilah Saleh KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 (Bernama) -- Georgia is relying on support from the international community, including Malaysia, with regard to the repatriation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Its Charge d'Affaires ad interim to Malaysia, Levan Machavariani said continuous support from Malaysia was imperative to Georgia. "As the UNSC (United Nations Security Council) non-permanent member, Malaysia also recognises the universal rights of IDPs to return to their homes safely and in dignity. Therefore, we hope we can elevate this support and bring it closer to the hearts of Malaysians," he told Bernama here Monday. He said this on the sidelines of a talk to mark the seventh anniversary of the war between Russia and Georgia in 2008, jointly organised by the Embassy of Georgia and Institute of Malaysian and International Studies of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM or National University of Malaysia). Aug 7 marked the seventh anniversary of the five-day war over the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, which displaced over 138,000 IDPs. Following the disintegration of the Soviet Union and Georgia's declaration of independence in 1991, over 360,000 Georgian citizens of various ethnicities had to leave their homes as a result of the conflict. During the talk, an exhibition themed 'A Story of Internal Displacement Captured on Camera' was also displayed, which aims to contribute to an increased awareness on the most challenging humanitarian problems of displacement. Elaborating on the IDPs, Machavariani said that according to a recent survey by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, almost 88 per cent of IDPs placed on the occupied region of Abkhazia and South Ossetia expressed willingness to be repatriated in a safe and dignified manner. "Looking at the result, it indicates the desire of IDPs to be back home even after 25 years," he said, noting that nearly half a million of IDPs were still internally displaced, which comprised 10 per cent of Georgia's total population of 4.5 million. He also noted calls for a time-table for the return of IDPs had been proposed annually through draft resolutions to the United Nations General Assembly. However, the solution is yet to be fully-implemented due to unsolved problems. --BERNAMA