Russia: Chechen Refugees Repatriated

About 140 Chechen refugees, who have been residing in the Pankisi gorge of eastern Georgia since 1999, returned to Chechnya on 6 December, civil.ge reported, citing the United Nations Association of Georgia. The homecoming of Chechen refugees from Georgia was organized by the Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations, which pledged that returnees who are homeless will be provided with temporary housing and compensation. The return is part of the official repatriation process, which was launched in May 2005, when 19 refugees returned. (Civil Georgia, www.civil.ge, December 6)

-- 12/20/2005