UN adopts resolution on Georgian IDPs co-sponsored by 44 states
Georgia has been initiating resolutions on Georgian IDPs since the Russia-Georgia 2008 war. Photo: aijac.org.au.
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The UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution on Georgian IDPs and refugees which, for the first time, was co-sponsored by 44 other nations, during its 73rd session on June 4.
The resolution with the name ‘Status of Internally Displaced Persons and Refugees from Abkhazia, Georgia and the Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia’, condemns the forced demographic changes in Georgia’s Russian-occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) and emphasises the right of all internally displaced persons and refugees, regardless of their ethnicity, to a safe and dignified return to their places of origin.
The Georgian Foreign Ministry wrote the tweet.
#UNGA73 adopted Res. on IDPs&Refugees from Geo’s Abkhazia&Tskhinvali regions. Initiated by 45 UN States, Res. reiterates intern. community's support 4 addressing issues related to the displaced due 2 ethnic cleansing by Russia. Thanks to all States that co-sponsored&supported Res pic.twitter.com/CJLWsP8148
— David Zalkaliani (@DZalkaliani) June 5, 2019
The resolution reads that the property rights of the individuals must also be protected.
The Georgian representation to the UN says that the resolution has practical significance as it instructs the UN Secretary-General to prepare an annual report on the situation of internally displaced persons residing in Georgia as well as on the implementation of this resolution.
The practical section of the resolution has even greater importance in the light of condemning the human rights situation in the occupied territories in the absence of international human rights monitoring mechanisms, which constitutes one of the impediments to the safe and dignified return of forcefully displaced persons,” the Georgian representation to the UN says.
Joint statement delivered today by @AudraPlepyte on behalf of NB8+11 on Status of IDPs from Abkhazia & South Ossetia, #Georgia. Full support to sovereignty and territorial integrity of & outreach initiatives of Gov of ???????? to promote IDPs engagement.
— LithuaniaUN???????? (@LithuaniaUNNY) June 4, 2019
Full????https://t.co/v91fbiqffs pic.twitter.com/eTBIqzbNi9
Georgia’s permanent representative to the UN Kakha Imnadze praised the resolution and spoke about the severe humanitarian situation in the Georgian occupied regions.
The security and human rights situation inside the occupied territories remains extremely alarming. People face abduction, arbitrary detention, seizure of property, as well as continued discrimination on the grounds of ethnic origin including severe restrictions on free movement and residence, and access to education in their native language,” Imnadze said.
He said that the diplomatic service of Georgia will continue its effort on the international arena to protect the fundamental rights of IDPs and refugees.
The resolution was passed by a vote of 79 in favor, 15 against, and 57 abstentions.