Russia continues to occupy Georgian lands in “gross violation” of int’l law, 2008 ceasefire - Reconciliation Ministry
The Georgian State Ministry for Reconciliation and Civil Equality has responded to the 15th anniversary of the Russia-Georgia 2008 conflict. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
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The Georgian State Ministry for Reconciliation and Civil Equality on Monday said Russia was proceeding with its illegal occupation of Georgia’s Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) regions in “gross violation” of international law and the 2008 ceasefire agreement, in a message for the 15th anniversary of the Russia-Georgia 2008 conflict.
The body stressed Russia and the de facto authorities in the regions were engaged in “systematic violation” of fundamental human rights of the local communities and those living along the Administrative Boundary Lines.
It listed installation of illegal barriers, unlawful detention of Georgian citizens for “illegally crossing the border”, discrimination of ethnic Georgians and “other efforts aimed at hindering the reconciliation process” among the actions of the occupation authorities.
The offenders involved in murders of Georgian citizens in the occupied regions remain unpunished by the de facto authorities, the body added, placing “full responsibility for all illegal actions” in the regions on Russia.
The Ministry noted Russia was denying the European Union Monitoring Mission access to Abkhazia and Tskhinvali despite efforts of the Georgian Government. It also pointed to security challenges sparked by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and highlighted the Government’s stance to resolve conflicts peacefully - an approach it said had “no alternative”.
It also highlighted the “extremely important role” of the international community in ensuring the rights of the people in the occupied regions, preventing actions aimed at isolating the regions from the rest of Georgia, and promoting people-to-people dialogue.
The United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday said his country’s Government “strongly” supported Georgia's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and Euro-Atlantic aspirations, in remarks over the 15th anniversary of the 2008 invasion of Georgia by Russia and the war between the two countries.
Foreign government officials, dignitaries of international organisations and diplomats on Monday expressed their support for Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty and condemned Russia’s 2008 aggression against it in comments over the 15th anniversary of the conflict.
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe on Tuesday endorsed amendments to the resolution on the Russian-occupied territories of Georgia that had been initiated by Maka Botchorishvili, the Chair of the European Integration Committee of the Georgian Parliament.
Georgia has won all 3,300 complaints filed against it following the 2008 war with Russia to the European Court of Human Rights over potential violations and crimes committed during the conflict, Justice Minister Rati Bregadze said on Friday.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Tuesday highlighted the occupation of Georgian territories by Russia remained the “main challenge” for the sovereignty and further development of the country, in remarks over the 15th anniversary of the 2008 invasion of Georgia by Russia and the war between the two states.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Tuesday accused the imprisoned former President Mikheil Saakashvili of having done “Russia’s job” by “failing to calculate risks” to prevent the armed conflict with Moscow in 2008, in his message on the 15th anniversary of the war.
Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Tuesday highlighted the ongoing occupation of Georgian territories by Russia on the 15th anniversary of the 2008 war between the two countries.