Uncovering the Forgotten Victims: Georgians Warn the West
As the ongoing conflict in Ukraine continues to dominate global attention, a group of Georgians is sounding the alarm, urging the West to heed the lessons of the past. They are seeking to highlight the atrocities committed by invading Russian troops and allied militias during the early 1990s in the regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, events that they believe should have served as a clear warning of the dangers posed by Russia long before Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Echoes of the Past: Abkhazia and the Forgotten Victims
When the Soviet Union was collapsing, Georgia declared independence in 1991, leading to tensions between Georgians and ethnic minority groups in the Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions bordering Russia. Many Georgians believe that Moscow exploited these tensions to stoke conflict, with the ensuing wars from 1989 to 1994 killing an estimated 10,000 to 30,000 people and forcing more than 200,000 to flee their homes, many of whom have never been able to return.
The harrowing testimonies of survivors from this period are chillingly reminiscent of the accounts emerging from Ukrainian cities like Bucha and Irpin following Russia's 2022 invasion. Witnesses recount atrocities such as the systematic rape of 300 women and girls in a school, as well as numerous other reports of killings, torture, and ethnic cleansing. Despite Russia's denials, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe has described the events in Abkhazia as "ethnic cleansing."
Tamar Chergoleishvili, the manager of the "Before Bucha Was Abkhazia" campaign, believes that these forgotten victims from Georgia should have provided the West with ample warning of the dangers posed by Russia. "Just to warn the West that if they don't stop Russia in Ukraine now, they will have to spend 100 times more in another 30 years," she told VOA.
The campaign, which includes documentary screenings, photography exhibitions, and presentations, is touring Ukrainian and European cities, seeking to bring awareness to these historical atrocities and their connection to the current crisis in Ukraine.
A Cautionary Tale for the West
As the world grapples with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the experiences of Georgians in Abkhazia and South Ossetia serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of allowing Russian aggression to go unchecked. The campaign organizers hope that by shining a light on these forgotten victims, they can spur the West to take decisive action to stop Russia's onslaught in Ukraine, before it is too late.
The parallels between the past and present are undeniable, and the Georgians leading this campaign are determined to ensure that the world does not repeat the same mistakes. Their message is clear: Heed the lessons of Abkhazia, or risk facing the consequences of an emboldened Russia for years to come.
A Call to Action: Heeding the Lessons of Abkhazia
As the world grapples with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the experiences of Georgians in Abkhazia and South Ossetia during the early 1990s serve as a stark and sobering warning. The atrocities committed by invading Russian troops and allied militias in those regions should have provided the West with ample foresight of the dangers posed by Moscow's aggression, yet those lessons were tragically overlooked.
The "Before Bucha Was Abkhazia" campaign, led by Georgians, is now sounding the alarm, urging the international community to heed the lessons of the past and take decisive action to stop Russia's onslaught in Ukraine. The parallels between the two conflicts are undeniable, and the campaign organizers believe that if the West had heeded the warning signs from Abkhazia, the current crisis in Ukraine may have been prevented or mitigated.
Tamar Chergoleishvili, the manager of the campaign, puts it bluntly: "Now we think that it is a good time — when there is the readiness to receive that information on the Western side — to remind the world, and ourselves, about the forgotten victims from Georgia that suffered the same aggression that Russia is using now against Ukraine. Just to warn the West that if they don't stop Russia in Ukraine now, they will have to spend 100 times more in another 30 years."
The campaign's message is clear: the world cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of the past. By shining a light on the atrocities committed in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the Georgians hope to spur the international community into action, to prevent the further expansion of Russian aggression and safeguard the future of Ukraine and the broader region.
Unlearned Lessons and Ongoing Consequences
The failure to heed the warnings from Abkhazia has had far-reaching consequences. Russia's invasion of Georgia in 2008 and its continued occupation of 20% of Georgian territory, including Abkhazia and South Ossetia, are a testament to the enduring impact of the region's tragic history.
For the people of Georgia, the scars of these past conflicts remain fresh, and the parallels with the current situation in Ukraine are impossible to ignore. The campaign's efforts to raise awareness and demand accountability are not just about historical injustice, but also about preventing further suffering and safeguarding the future.
As the world watches the unfolding events in Ukraine, the call from Georgians to learn from the past has taken on added urgency. The stakes are high, and the lessons of Abkhazia serve as a stark reminder that inaction in the face of Russian aggression can have devastating consequences that echo for decades to come.
Amplifying Voices, Demanding Accountability
The "Before Bucha Was Abkhazia" campaign is not just about raising awareness; it is also about demanding accountability. By documenting the atrocities committed in Abkhazia and South Ossetia and highlighting the parallels with the current situation in Ukraine, the organizers hope to spur the international community into action.
The campaign's efforts include documentary screenings, photography exhibitions, and presentations that bring the stories of the forgotten victims to the forefront. By giving voice to those who suffered under Russian aggression in the past, the Georgians are seeking to ensure that the world does not turn a blind eye to their experiences once again.
Furthermore, the campaign is leveraging the newfound attention on the threat posed by Russia to press for concrete measures to hold the country accountable. This includes supporting ongoing investigations by the International Criminal Court and other international bodies, as well as pushing for targeted sanctions and diplomatic pressure on the Kremlin.
The ultimate goal is to ensure that the lessons of Abkhazia are not lost, and that the international community takes decisive action to prevent the recurrence of such tragedies. By amplifying the voices of the forgotten victims and demanding accountability, the Georgians hope to shape a future where the world is better prepared to confront and contain Russian aggression.