UN general Assembly adopts resolution on Georgian IDPs, refugees
The resolution on Georgia was passed with 84 votes in favour, 13 against and 78 abstention. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
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The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a resolution on Georgian IDPs and refugees from the Russia-occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) regions, co-sponsored by 54 states.
The General Assembly has been adopting the resolution consecutively since 2008, 'reaffirming the fundamental rights of forcefully displaced persons, first and foremost their right of voluntary, safe and dignified return to their homes'.
Today #UNGA reaffirmed the Right of Return by adopting Resolution on "Status of Internally Displaced Persons and Refugees from Abkhazia, #Georgia and the Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia, Georgia" with 84 votes in favour and 53 co-sponsors. https://t.co/aJf1k8dPb7 pic.twitter.com/Jg0HsIXoXE
— GeorgiaUN (@GeorgiaUN) September 3, 2020
The resolution condemns 'forced demographic changes in the occupied regions, 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, and focuses upon the need to fully respect and protect their property rights'.
It further reiterates the importance of 'unimpeded humanitarian access' in both Russia-occupied Georgian regions.
Adoption of the Resolution during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the work of the United Nations, highlights even stronger the importance of the issue and the urgency of the humanitarian message", the Permanent Mission of Georgia to the UN reported.
The resolution also calls upon the participants of the Geneva International Discussions 'to reinvigorate their efforts to ensure security and human rights protection in the occupied regions, which in turn will facilitate the return of IDPs and refugees to their homes'.
Georgia's permanent representative to UN Kakha Imnadze has also tweeted:
International community has spoken again! With 84 votes in favor 13 against, #UNGA adopted res. on IDPs from Russian occupied Georgian regions #Abkhazia & #Tskhinvali/#SouthOssetia co-sponsored by 54 states. Grateful to all steadfast on UN Charter, principles of international law pic.twitter.com/5jcTfZUbIV
— Kaha Imnadze (კახა იმნაძე) (@kahaimnadze) September 3, 2020
Georgian Foriegn Minister David Zalkaliani has thanked all of the states that voted for the resolution.
#UNGA passed #IDP Resolution! Occupation of???????? regions &violent demographic changes once again condemned from t/world`s highest tribune! Adoption of resolution, especially during pandemic reaffirms tha???????? is always on international agenda. Deep gratitude to our partner countries!
— David Zalkaliani (@DZalkaliani) September 3, 2020
He said the presentation of this resolution on behalf of Georgia 'should be viewed as a big success-story' considering 'unprecedented restrictions' imposed throughout the world amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The resolution was passed with 84 votes in favour, 13 against and 78 abstention.