UN Human Rights Council adopts first resolution in support of Georgia

The United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council (HRC) has adopted the Resolution on Cooperation with Georgia – its first-ever resolution regarding Georgia.

The HRC is the UN body primarily responsible for protecting human rights.

 The resolution, initiated by Georgia, was adopted at the HRC’s 34th session yesterday.

1st resolution adopted w/respect 2 #Georgia by t/@UN_HRC – t/UN body primarily responsible 4 protecting human rights https://t.co/cocA9Fq9GW

— Mikheil Janelidze (@JanelidzeMkh) March 24, 2017

 In the resolution the HRC expresses serious concern over the human rights and humanitarian situation in the Russian-occupied regions of Georgia with special emphasis on reported kidnappings, arbitrary detention, interference with property rights, restrictions on access to education in one’s native language, free movement and residence, as well as continued discrimination on the grounds of ethnic origin in both regions.

The Council also expresses concern that internally displaced persons and refugees continue to be deprived of the right to return to their homes in a safe and dignified manner.

T/Resolution expresses serious concern over t/human rights&humanitarian situation in t/occupied rgns of #Geo.Thanks 2 our partners 4 support

— Mikheil Janelidze (@JanelidzeMkh) March 24, 2017

The document highlights that the Office of the High Commissioner and other international and regional human rights mechanisms have no immediate access to the breakaway regions of Georgia - Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region. The Council, in this context, recognises the need for objective and impartial assessment and periodic reporting of the situation in these regions.

Based on the above, the Council calls for immediate access for the Office of the High Commissioner to Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali regions.

The resolution reaffirms the commitment of the HRC to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders.

In addition, the HRC recognises with appreciation the efforts of the Government of Georgia to strengthen democracy, the rule of law and the promotion and protection of human rights.

It also welcomes the cooperation of the Georgian government with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, as well as with the special procedures of the HRC.

The UN Human Rights Council requests the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to continue to provide technical assistance and to present its reports on the human rights situation in Georgia’s Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions at the Council’s 35th and 36th sessions.

Georgia has been a member of the UN HRC since 2016.