The Unresolved Return: The Case of the Meskhetian Turks from Georgia

An updated monitoring case detailing the protracted struggle of the Meskhetian Turks has been published on the Minority Monitor.

Based on a succession of resolutions brought by the International/Interregional Society of Meskhetian Turks “Vatan” between 2016 and 2025, the report analyzes the persistent failure to resolve the consequences of the community's 1944 forced deportation from southern Georgia.

More than eighty years after over 100,000 Meskhetian Turks were expelled to Central Asia, practical repatriation remains largely stalled. While Georgia fulfilled its formal 1999 Council of Europe accession commitment by passing a repatriation law in 2007, burdensome documentary requirements, complicated citizenship restoration, and an absence of reintegration assistance have left most applicants stranded.

The updated case underscores the total absence of tangible progress since 2023, leaving the community dispersed across multiple countries. It also highlights continued entry bans imposed by Georgian authorities against Vatan representatives and activists, which effectively shut down direct dialogue.

The report emphasizes the need for comprehensive support spanning housing, land access, healthcare, and language training to ensure repatriation is economically viable and socially sustainable. Finally, it notes the growing relevance of European standards, positioning the resolution of this historical injustice as a benchmark for Georgia's broader democratic and European commitments.

The complete updated dossier can be accessed directly on the new, improved Minority Monitor website.