Abkhazia’s Initiative Group Pushes for Constitutional Reforms

SUKHUM / AQW’A —  A group of prominent Abkhazian citizens and political figures have issued a bold manifesto, calling for urgent constitutional reforms to address the nation’s ongoing political and socio-economic challenges. The document highlights the persistent political crises that have fractured Abkhazian society over the past two decades, weakened the state’s foundations, and created obstacles to sustainable development.

The signatories argue that the 1994 Constitution (Adopted by the Supreme Council on 26 November 1994, and approved with amendments by a national referendum on 3 October 1999), while instrumental during its time, no longer meets the demands of modern Abkhazia and requires immediate amendments. They propose a series of transformative reforms aimed at strengthening democratic accountability, redistributing power among government branches, and ensuring greater fairness and justice in governance.

The full statement reads:

MANIFESTO FOR REFORMS

For the past two decades, the people of Abkhazia have lived under conditions of political confrontation that have eroded the legal, economic, and social foundations of our state.

A perpetual political crisis, fracturing Abkhazian society, has affected all aspects of life, devalued the ethical and moral principles of our people, weakened the nation against internal and external threats, and created significant barriers to socio-economic development. One of the primary causes of this crisis is the state’s political system, which grants unchecked powers to the elected president and their supporters while depriving the rest of the population of the right to equitable distribution of benefits.

The 1994 Constitution of the Republic of Abkhazia was adopted during a challenging period for the country and helped us navigate those difficult times with dignity. However, the realities have changed. Our Basic Law no longer meets the challenges facing modern Abkhazia and requires urgent amendments.

We, the undersigned, call upon all citizens and political forces of the country. Amidst a severe political crisis, and in the interest of unity, stability, and justice in society, as well as the preservation and strengthening of our state, we must, with collective efforts, based on mutual respect and tolerance, immediately embark on implementing political reforms.

The outcome of these reforms must be new provisions in the Constitution that ensure an effective system of accountability to the people for all branches of power: legislative, judicial, and executive. These reforms must eliminate unpunished abuse of power, which undermines the interests of the citizens of Abkhazia, and establish order, legality, and mutual respect in the country’s socio-political life. These changes must be implemented before the presidential elections.

To achieve this goal, we believe it is necessary to immediately begin constitutional reforms:

1. Establishing a mixed (majoritarian-proportional) electoral system for elections to the People’s Assembly—Parliament of the Republic of Abkhazia.

2. Redistributing powers among the branches of government to transition to a mixed (parliamentary-presidential) system, with the Parliament playing a central role in forming and overseeing the Government’s activities.

3. Strengthening the independence of the judiciary through reforms in the selection and appointment of judges, ensuring the realisation of this principle.

4. Reforming local governance by introducing procedures for electing heads of district and city administrations.

5. Establishing an independent public television service with a board of trustees composed of respected and impartial representatives of society.

Presidential elections alone will not bring the necessary outcomes for our country without constitutional reforms.

It is time to create a new foundation for unity and collaboration to preserve our hard-won independence and secure the interests of future generations.

Initiative Group:

1. Alkhas Argun
2. Ilya Gunia
3. Natali Smyr
4. Guram Gumba
5. Alkhas Dzhindzholia
6. Anzor Marshan
7. Zurab Zukhba
8. Akhra Bzhania
9. Irakli Bzhinava
10. Inal Khashig
11. Richard Chkadua
12. Ibrahim Chkadua
13. Levan Mikaa
14. Leuan Lagulaa
15. Tengiz Dzhopua
16. Almas Dzhapua
17. Beslan Smyr
18. Vadim Smyr
19. Avtandil Chkadua
20. Eleonora Giloyan
21. Akhra Arstaa