Fires in Georgia under control; Sukhumi rejects Tbilisi’s offer of support

Over the last week, fires have blazed across central and western regions of Georgia. Agende.ge reports that 257 fires have been reported since Monday (4 January). Today (8 January) the Georgian Emergency Management Service (EMS) stated that the fires were under control, and that they have managed to contain three of the seven fires that remain in the regions of Samegrelo, Racha-Lechkhumi and Shida Kartli.

The fires are thought to have been caused by human negligence and the EMS has called on the populations to refrain from burning grass in fields and arable lands. It has warned that due to strong winds and dry weather in western Georgia, such fires can easily spread to forests and dwellings.

Fires have also spread to the Georgian separatist region of Abkhazia, with social media reports yesterday showing them as close as 150-metres from residential buildings in the town of Gagra. Teya Akhvlediani, Georgian State Minister for Reconciliation and Civil Equality, again today offered the de facto Abkhazian authorities Tbilisi’s support in eliminating the fires, but this was rejected. De facto secretary of the Security Council of Abkhazia, Sergei Shamba, told SOVA news:

“There is no such need. Our services are coping.”

The Ministry of Emergency Situations of the self-proclaimed Republic of Abkhazia today stated that the fires close to residential areas of Gagra had been extinguished, and the general fire site in the Gagra district was fragmented. The statement also included that fires remaining in coastal areas were isolated and low intensity.

Source commonspace.eu with Agenda.ge, SOVA and agencies
Photo: Georgian Emergency Management Service

 

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
Dunya Mijatovic: "Entrenched harmful stereotypes and prejudice against LGBTI people still prevail in segments of Georgian society, including some politicians"

Dunya Mijatovic: "Entrenched harmful stereotypes and prejudice against LGBTI people still prevail in segments of Georgian society, including some politicians"

On March 27, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, issued a statement calling on the Georgian government to “fully respect” its human rights obligations as a Council of Europe member state, “including with regard to the protection of the human rights of LGBTI people,” in response to the ruling party’s initiation of two draft constitutional laws on “family values and the protection of minors.” “I am concerned about the present political discourse in Georgia, as illustrated by the announcement made by the Georgian Dream Party of their initiative to amend the Constitution and to adopt a new constitutional law on ‘Protection of Family Values and Underaged Persons’. It is reflective of entrenched harmful stereotypes and prejudice against LGBTI people which still prevail in segments of Georgian society, including some politicians, and is capable of having a strong, negative impact on the human rights, safety and well-being of LGBTI people and defenders of their rights. It also represents the political manipulation of LGBTI-phobia in the run-up to elections, which I have previously condemned, and which should have no place in a democratic society, based on the rule of law and respect for human rights of everyone.

Popular

Editor's choice
News
Dunya Mijatovic: "Entrenched harmful stereotypes and prejudice against LGBTI people still prevail in segments of Georgian society, including some politicians"

Dunya Mijatovic: "Entrenched harmful stereotypes and prejudice against LGBTI people still prevail in segments of Georgian society, including some politicians"

On March 27, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, issued a statement calling on the Georgian government to “fully respect” its human rights obligations as a Council of Europe member state, “including with regard to the protection of the human rights of LGBTI people,” in response to the ruling party’s initiation of two draft constitutional laws on “family values and the protection of minors.” “I am concerned about the present political discourse in Georgia, as illustrated by the announcement made by the Georgian Dream Party of their initiative to amend the Constitution and to adopt a new constitutional law on ‘Protection of Family Values and Underaged Persons’. It is reflective of entrenched harmful stereotypes and prejudice against LGBTI people which still prevail in segments of Georgian society, including some politicians, and is capable of having a strong, negative impact on the human rights, safety and well-being of LGBTI people and defenders of their rights. It also represents the political manipulation of LGBTI-phobia in the run-up to elections, which I have previously condemned, and which should have no place in a democratic society, based on the rule of law and respect for human rights of everyone.