Inal Tasoev: Freedom House does not show due objectiveness estimating South Ossetia

A report of international human rights organization Freedom House “Freedom in the World-2012” in which South Ossetia was leveled among the category of “restricted states” and got a low rating did not undergo pointed criticism from the authorities of South Ossetia.

Representatives of civil society emphasize veracity of the results of international research, however they state that the absence of institutions of democracy is a result of the twenty-year permanent conflicts with Georgia.

Ombudsman of South Ossetia Inal Tasoev considers Freedom House’s report prejudiced because the conclusions on South Ossetia were evidently based on outdated information.

“Commenting on the report of international human rights organization Freedom House “Freedom in the World-2012” characterizing South Ossetia as a “restricted state” I would like to say the following. We greet the fact of inclusion of South Ossetia into the list of states of the World by Freedom House as a sign of recognition of new political realia in Southern Caucasus. The republic of South Ossetia is an acknowledged state and the authors of the report took it into consideration to the full extent”, Inal Tasoev said.

In the opinion of Lira Kozaeva, Chairperson of “Association women for law and democracy”, it is a painful process for South-Ossetian community which is just starting construction of its civil institutions.

There is no real civil society in South Ossetia but there is an acute need in creation of institutions of democracy, Lira Kozaeva thinks.