Anas Kishmaria: Abkhaz Authorities Must Address Russian Sanctions
Anas Kishmaria, the Ombudsperson of Abkhazia.
SUKHUM / AQW’A — Anas Kishmaria, the Ombudsperson of Abkhazia, presented the annual report on human rights for 2024 before the People’s Assembly. The report outlined key areas of focus, including public awareness initiatives, psychiatric care, monitoring of detention facilities, international cooperation, and legal research. However, while discussing the report, Kishmaria strongly criticised the Abkhaz authorities for their lack of response to recent Russian sanctions imposed on Abkhaz citizens, stressing that silence is unacceptable.
Rising Public Engagement and Key Issues in 2024
Kishmaria highlighted a significant increase in public engagement with the Ombudsperson’s office. In 2024, the office received 103 written and oral complaints, 39 more than the previous year. Among these, 63 individuals were provided with legal consultations, while 40 cases were formally submitted in writing, including three collective appeals. The growing use of email for complaints was also noted as a sign of increasing public reliance on the institution.
To enhance public outreach, Kishmaria and her team conducted a series of meetings across all districts of Abkhazia, engaging with local officials, law enforcement, prosecutors, and community representatives. However, she criticised the head of the Gal District administration for failing to make time for such discussions throughout the year.
One of the most pressing concerns raised in the report was the rise in cases of domestic violence and violations of women’s and children’s rights. Kishmaria noted that the Ombudsperson’s office had organised roundtables and working meetings to address this issue, leading to legislative proposals aimed at strengthening protections against domestic violence. These recommendations have been submitted to Parliament for consideration.
Conditions in Detention Centres and Psychiatric Facilities
The monitoring of prisons and detention facilities revealed serious human rights concerns, including poor sanitation, overcrowding, lack of medical personnel, and limited access to fresh air. Kishmaria stressed that these conditions do not meet legal and humanitarian standards, and urged immediate reforms to improve the treatment of detainees.
The Ombudsperson also conducted a review of Abkhazia’s psychiatric institutions, highlighting severe staff shortages and inadequate living conditions for patients. With only three psychiatrists serving 140 patients, the lack of medical professionals remains a critical issue. Although the government approved new regulations on psychiatric care in September 2024, further action is needed to address these systemic problems.
Attacks on Press Freedom
The report also highlighted violations of press freedom, including an incident where journalists were unlawfully denied access to a parliamentary committee session. Despite having proper accreditation, they were blocked from attending, prompting a formal complaint to the Ombudsperson’s office. Kishmaria noted that state officials often fail to respond to official requests from journalists, undermining transparency and the right to information.
Silence is Unacceptable: Russia’s Actions Against Abkhaz Citizens
While presenting her report, Kishmaria addressed a critical issue that has gone unanswered by Abkhaz authorities, Russia’s imposition of sanctions, travel bans, and legal actions against Abkhaz citizens.
“The revocation of Russian citizenship for Leuan Mikaa and Kan Kvarchia was based on allegations of actions threatening Russia’s security. Meanwhile, Baras Kudzhba, an Abkhaz citizen who does not hold Russian nationality, has been deported from Russia and banned from entering for ten years. A similar decision was issued against another Abkhaz citizen, Ashba, who resides in Turkey. Additionally, Russia’s Ministry of Justice has designated Inal Khashig, an Abkhaz citizen with Russian nationality, as a ‘foreign agent’ and included him in the official register.”
Kishmaria criticised the lack of response from Abkhaz authorities to these developments, stressing that government officials have failed to publicly address the issue. She warned that such silence damages the credibility of Abkhazia’s state institutions.
“While we cannot interfere in Russia’s sovereign decisions, this does not mean our government should remain silent. It must engage diplomatically and inform the public about the measures being taken to protect Abkhaz citizens.”
She specifically called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, the Prosecutor General’s Office, and the President of Abkhazia to issue an official statement regarding their response to these sanctions. Kishmaria also highlighted reports from Russia’s Investigative Committee suggesting that criminal investigations, including terrorism-related charges, have been launched against some Abkhaz citizens holding Russian passports, another issue that has not been addressed by Abkhaz authorities.
+ Mikaa and Kvarchia: Citizenship Revocation Politically Motivated
+ Abkhaz Citizens Denied Entry to Russia, Deported Amid Presidential Elections
+ Abkhaz Journalist Inal Khashig Declared a ‘Foreign Agent’ by Russia
Call for Government Action
Kishmaria concluded by urging state institutions to uphold their duty to protect Abkhaz citizens and to engage in open dialogue regarding the challenges they face.
“The response of our institutions and officials to this situation will be a measure of our state’s credibility. I call on them to issue a public statement without delay. At the same time, I want to emphasise that Abkhazia has never harboured, does not harbour, and will never harbour anti-Russian sentiments.”
The Ombudsperson’s report serves as a critical review of human rights conditions in Abkhazia and an urgent call for government accountability on both domestic and international matters. Whether the authorities will heed this call remains to be seen.
The full version of the report in PDF format can be found by clicking [here].