Meskhetian Turks: Solutions and Human Security
Meskhetian Turks are a formerly deported people still seeking justice and repatriation to their traditional homeland in Georgia. Deported by Stalin in 1944, Meskhetian Turks have not been formally rehabilitated in Georgia. The Trancaucasus in general, and Georgia in particular, has proven to be one of the former Soviet Union’s most volatile regions, and the active involvement of the international community could manage the potential for conflict, and ensure an approach founded on respect for human dignity.The complexities of the situation of Meskhetian Turks are examined in the special report, Meskhetian Turks: Solutions and Human Security. The report discusses the potential dangers to stability in Georgia, as well as offers recommendations for the humane management of the issue.
The report begins with a brief history of the Meskhetian Turk deportation in 1944. It then discusses current social and economic conditions for Meskhetian Turks in various regions of the former Soviet Union, and examines conditions in Georgia, focusing on potential obstacles to return. The report’s concluding chapter discusses possible initiatives to promote civil society and the rule of law.