UN Human Rights Council adopts resolution in support of Georgia, condemning Russian actions
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The United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a resolution on Georgia at its 43rd session in Geneva, yesterday, reiterating its support for the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, condemning Russia’s actions in Georgia’s occupied regions and praising the efforts of the Georgian government to strengthen democracy.
The Resolution expresses serious concern over the human rights and humanitarian situation in the occupied regions of Georgia with special emphasis on reported kidnappings, arbitrary detentions, 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 of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali, “ the Georgian Foreign Ministry said.
The ministry stated that the Human Rights Council expresses ‘serious concern’ at the continuous process of installation of barbed wire fences and different artificial barriers along the occupation line, and at the negative consequences of the closure of the so-called checkpoints ‘which further aggravates the already difficult social and economic situation on the ground’.
Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani said that the resolution is another victory of Georgia and another proof that the country is on the agenda of the international community. Photo: Foreign Ministry press office.
The council expressed concern that internally displaced persons and refugees continue to be deprived of their right to return to their homes in a safe and dignified manner.
The document stated that the Office of the High Commissioner and other international and regional human rights organisations have no immediate access to the Georgian occupied regions.
The council recognises the need for objective and impartial assessments and periodic reporting of the situation in these regions. The council calls for immediate access for the Office of the High Commissioner to Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali regions,” the ministry reports.
The UN Human Rights Council requested the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to present its reports on the human rights situation in Georgia’s Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions at the Council’s 44th and 45th sessions.
The resolution was presented online by Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Lasha Darsalia.
The Georgian ambassadors to NATO and Geneva will exchange their positions. The new Ambassador of Georgia to the UN Office in Geneva will be Alexandre Maisuradze, while Victor Dolidze will serve as the Ambassador of Georgia in NATO.
UNDP Head in Georgia Louisa Vinton says Georgia’s response to the pandemic has undoubtedly saved lives and it will be studied in the future as a best practice. "But here, as everywhere in the world, COVID-19 has also exposed social vulnerabilities and economic imbalances. The UNDP therefore welcomes the resolve of Georgia’s leaders to go beyond ‘business as usual’ to design a recovery plan that builds on the positives and neutralizes the negatives to map out a path to a green, fair and inclusive future”, said Vinton.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has stated that the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres praised the steps taken by the Georgian government in the fight against the coronavirus during a phone conversation yesterday.
The UN said Easter “is a very special occasion for Georgia, when many families come together and share a heartwarming celebration”, however, “the community spirit at the heart of Easter includes a sense of responsibility to protect ourselves and others from COVID-19”.
UN Security Council Member countries have condemned ‘Russia’s illegal military presence’ and annexation of Georgian regions in the run up to the 13th anniversary of the Russia-Georgia 2008 war. Estonia, France, Ireland, Norway, the United Kingdom, the United States and Albania (incoming Security Council Member country) have expressed their unwavering support for ‘Georgia’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.’
Gvaram Khandamishvili, the charge d'Affaires of Georgia to the United Nations, on Tuesday delivered a national statement within the UN Security Council’s annual open debate on Children and Armed Conflict, highlighting Russia continued to violate fundamental rights of the conflict-affected children in the Russian-occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions of Georgia.