Ethnic cleansing of Georgians in Abkhazia

Sizes of Abkhazia's major ethnic groups in 1989 and in 2003

Ethnic Cleansing of Georgians in Abkhazia refers to the forced displacement and mass persecution of Georgian population from Abkhazia, a region on the eastern coast of the Black Sea, which escalated during the Abkhaz–Georgian conflict in the early 1990s. This event is a significant and tragic part of the broader Georgian–Abkhaz conflict, which has its roots in historical tensions between Georgians and Abkhaz people, further complicated by the geopolitical interests in the Caucasus region.

Background

The origins of the conflict can be traced back to the dissolution of the Soviet Union, which led to rising nationalist movements within the union's constituent republics. Abkhazia, an autonomous republic within the Georgian SSR, became a hotspot of ethnic tension as both Abkhaz and Georgian nationalist movements sought control over the territory. The situation escalated into a full-scale war in 1992, shortly after Georgia declared independence.

The Conflict

The conflict between Georgian government forces and Abkhaz separatists, supported by various militias and, reportedly, by troops from the Russian Federation, lasted for 13 months, from August 1992 to September 1993. It was marked by brutal violence, including massacres, forced displacement, and other human rights abuses against the civilian population.

Ethnic Cleansing

The term "ethnic cleansing" was widely used to describe the systematic expulsion of ethnic Georgians from Abkhazia. Reports indicate that up to 250,000 Georgians were forced to flee their homes, constituting the majority of the pre-war Georgian population in Abkhazia. The campaign of ethnic cleansing included mass killings, torture, rape, and the destruction of Georgian homes and cultural sites, aiming to erase Georgian presence and influence in the region.

International Response

The international community, including the United Nations and various human rights organizations, condemned the ethnic cleansing of Georgians in Abkhazia. Several resolutions were passed, calling for the cessation of hostilities and the return of displaced persons. However, the effectiveness of these resolutions was limited, and the situation in Abkhazia remains unresolved, with a significant number of Georgian IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) still unable to return to their homes.

Aftermath

The ethnic cleansing and the broader conflict have had a lasting impact on Georgian-Abkhaz relations and the geopolitical dynamics in the Caucasus region. Efforts to find a peaceful resolution have been ongoing, but progress is hampered by mutual distrust, political instability, and the strategic interests of external powers in the region.

See Also

• Georgian–Abkhaz conflict
• Displacement of Georgians in Abkhazia
• Abkhazia
• Caucasus

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