Non-governmental
organization the “Young Barristers”, with participation of human rights
defenders, organized a conference on “Legal issues of the Khudonhess” project”.
In the process of researching the issue, the organization paid attention to
social, economic and legal grounds, defending of property rights, resettlement
of the population, expropriation and issues of honored compensation.
The
conference vastly discussed international practice concerning legal outcomes of
the project and internationally recognized standards.
According
to evaluations of the legal group of the organization, in case of
implementation of the “Khudonhess” project, villages of Zeda Khaishi, Kveda
Khaishi, Gaghma Khaishi, Zeda Tsvirmindi, Kveda Tsvirmindi, Lukha, Lakhana and
Cheri will be fully resettled. A total of 769 people from 184 families will be
resettled. 224 resided houses are located in the place of resettlement. In case
the project is implemented, compensation must be carried out in accordance with
Georgian legislation, 4/12 O.P of the World Bank and “contract of implementation”
signed with the government of Georgia.
The
conference paid attention to the stages of financial gain of the project,
construction and operation, possible risks and challenges, issues of the
cultural heritage and graves placed under the process of resettlement, the
meeting was concluded with a discussion.
According
to the evaluation of co-founder and the head of the “Young Barristers” – Archil
Kaikatsishvili, population continues discussing importance of implementation of
the “Khudonhess” project. However, the society is less and more often, wrongly
informed on judicial components of the project. The society only discussed the
issue of construction and possesses no information on what legal results may
the project bring in case of implementation. From this point of view the prepared
The
conference had an informative character and pointed out judicial components of
the project, which tends to be less discussed in the society compared to the issues
of construction of the project.
The
conference was attended by: “Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association”, Article 42
of Constitution”, Transparency International – Georgia”, “Human Rights
Protection Centre”, “Human Rights Priority”, “Union of Human Rights Defenders”,
“Centre of civil initiative”, “Georgian Young Constitutionalists Association”,
“Human, Law, Freedom”, “Centre of Civil Inclusion”, “Civil Defender”, “Droa”,
“Young Human Rights Defenders Association”, “New Initiative”, “Caucasus
environmental protection non-governmental organization”, “Military analytic
research centre “Heri””, „Association of protection of landowners’ rights”,
“Institute of Development of Freedom of Information”, “Unity of Judges of
Georgia”, “Georgian Infrastructure Projects Initiative”, “Public Defender of
Georgia”, “Georgian Bar Association”, legal group: “Kordzakhia, Zhghenti”,
“Ministry of Justice of Georgia – Department of International law”, “Judicial
Department of Ministry of Energy of Georgia”, “PR Consulting Group”, Experts
and lawyers of field of law.
The “Young Barristers” has
been conducting a research on “Legal analysis of the Khudonhess project” since
January 2014. Meetings with representatives of various public departments,
municipality governments and local population have been planned. A conference
will be held in Mestia, where the issue and monitoring results will be
discussed. The organization will present a conclusion and a recommendation
package by April 2014.
