Georgian parliament debates draft law on repatriation of Ahiska Turks

Georgian parliament debates draft law on repatriation of Ahiska Turks
# 14 June 2007 16:08 (UTC +04:00)
The draft law on repatriation of Ahiska Turks is being debated in Georgian parliament, APA’s Georgia bureau reports.
The draft law on repatriation of people deported from Georgia during Soviet period in the 40s of the 20th century was yesterday debated in the Foreign affairs Committee of the parliament.
The draft law has been initiated by parliamentary majority – National movement democrats faction.
The parliamentarians underlined the necessity of restoring historical justice regarding the people deported from the country.
According to the document, Turks wiling to return to their historical lands should apply by January 1, 2009.
Those who want to be Georgian citizens have to renounce the citizenship of the other country, pass test on the Georgian language, Georgian history and Constitution. Georgian government does not assume to settle these people and provide them with houses.
Ahiska Turks were deported from Georgia in 1944. Georgian government has undertaken commitment on their repatriation vis-à-vis the Council of Europe. /APA/
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THE OPERATION IS BEING PERFORMED