Law and State Practice in Georgia: Dealing with the Issues Concerning the Search, Exhumation and Identification of Missing Persons in Conflict Zones

This article deals with the issues associated with missing persons in Georgia, which are deeply interrelated with the conflicts over the disputed territories of Abkhazia since 1992 and South Ossetia from 1991. The article examines the historical, democratic, and human rights context of these issues in Georgia to understand the situation in the country and its effects on how the missing are dealt with. The article deals with the various processes that are working on the missing. The legislation concerning missing persons in Georgia is reviewed and found to be scattered, incomplete and in need of reform. The article also recommends that Georgia allocate more resources to its efforts and better assist the families of the missing. It is also recommended that a Families’ Needs Assessment be carried out and that an Office of Missing Persons be established.