On June 30, the LAS lawyers visited Martkhophi temporary accommodation center and the foreigners residing there who are waiting for granting a shelter from the Georgian Government and rendered legal consultation to them.
As a part of the meeting, the public lawyers informed the beneficiaries of the temporary accommodation center about their rights guaranteed by the Georgian and international legislation, as well as the procedures regarding granting a shelter and the humanitarian status. The meeting was conducted in an interactive manner. The LAS Tbilisi and Kvemo Kartli lawyers were members of the Consultation Group.
Since January 1, 2016, based on the amendments to the Law of Georgia on Legal Aid, the foreigners were given a right to apply for the free advocacy service regarding granting of shelter and humanitarian status. From January till May, 80 beneficiaries addressed Legal Aid Service to receive the above-mentioned service. Ensuring free legal aid service for asylum seekers was the obligation of Georgia which was fulfilled as a part of the EU Visa Liberalization Action Plan.
Martkhophi Asylum Seekers Temporary Accommodation Center is administered by the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Accommodation and Refugees of Georgia. The Center is designated for 60 persons, was opened in 2010 and was set up with financial support of UNHCR, the US State Department and the European Commission. In 2016, with financial support of the US State Department the second office was also built which can accommodate 72 beneficiaries.