Alleged human rights violations during the conflict in Abkhazia | Amnesty International, 1993
GEORGIA
@Alleged human rights violations during the conflict in Abkhazia
Amnesty International has repeatedly addressed the Georgian Government over numerous allegations of human rights violations in Abkhazia, a region in the north-west of the country which has been the scene of sporadic armed conflict since August 1992.
The organization has received numerous serious reports that Georgian armed forces have been involved in the arbitrary detention of non-combatants, some in the condition of hostages, on the grounds of their ethnic origin; in beatings, torture, ill-treatment and rape of detainees; and in extrajudicial executions. The majority of these reports relate to incidents that took place between August and November 1992. Amnesty International has no knowledge of investigations being carried out into the allegations and believes that no one has been prosecuted. A number of possible prisoners of conscience are also believed to be held still, or to have "disappeared".
Possible prisoners of conscience
In the first months of the conflict Georgian forces are said to have detained scores of noncombatant civilians solely on grounds of their ethnic origin. Amnesty International has received numerous testimonies from non-Georgians who allege that armed Georgian troops entered their homes, or those of their neighbours, and subsequently robbed, beat and took away many of the occupants solely because they belonged to a different ethnic group. Many were held for short periods then released. Others are believed still to be imprisoned, or to have "disappeared". The Georgian authorities have not responded to Amnesty International's repeated requests for information about their current situation and whereabouts. If they are still in detention, and were originally held solely on ethnic grounds, the organization would regard them as prisoners of conscience who should be released immediately and unconditionally. Several such cases are outlined below.
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