“Young Barristers” organized a presentation of the program “Reintegration of Migrants Returning to Georgia” financed by the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Accommodation and Refugees of Georgia in the “Center of Civic Engagement” in Batumi. The first Deputy Minister of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Accommodation and Refugees of Georgia, Grigol Giorgadze, other representatives of the Ministry, regional Self- government and representatives of different NGOs attended the meeting.
Archil Kaikatsishvili, the Head of “Young Barristers” states, that the main goal of the project is to identify legal problems which face the migrants, ensure legal aid and assistance for them as well as increase public awareness related to the issues. The organization will represent migrants’ interests in the court, administrative bodies and in relation with any 3rd person. Following persons are the project beneficiaries: citizens of Georgia or stateless persons with Georgian residence permit, who have been living abroad illegally during 1 year period or have applied to the foreign Government requesting asylum, and have returned to Georgia no longer than a year. Maximum 1 000 GEL is allocated for each beneficiary in accordance with their needs, but if protection of their interests will cost more than 1 000 GEL, the organization will carry on legal assistance if the beneficiary agrees to pay the rest of the costs (such as notary and expertise costs, state fees and etc.).
Grigol Giorgadze, the Deputy Minister of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Accommodation and Refugees of Georgia, stated, that the objective of the project is to promote and encourage decent reintegration of the citizens returning to their country and to develop and strengthen NGOs’ work in this direction as well. This was the first time, when the State Budget allocated 400 000 GEL for migrants’ reintegration and this money has been given to the NGOs winning grant competition. Within the frameworks of the project, the Government provides following aid to the migrants: medical services, including medicines and psycho-social rehabilitation; vocational education, social projects, paid internships, public awareness programs and legal aid. The latter is implemented by “Young Barristers” throughout the country.
“Young Barristers” requested local self-government of Adjara to help them introduce this project to the local population. As a result of this, detailed information about Migrant Reintegration Program will be displayed on the official web-page of the Regional Government since September1, 2015. The population will have opportunity to directly get information they are interested in from the local officials.
We consider it reasonable to note, that “Young Barristers” will continue implementation of the project “Providing Legal Aid for Migrants Returning to Georgia” until January 18, 2016.
