Georgian FM raises human rights situation in occupied regions at UN Council

Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Monday raised the topic of the human rights situation in the Russian-occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) at a United Nations Human Rights Council session.

Addressing the 52nd regular session of the body in Geneva, Darchiashvili emphasised the necessity of establishing an international monitoring mechanism in both regions, saying conditions of the population beyond the occupation line were “difficult” despite the Government’s efforts in promoting protection of human rights.

Addressed the High Level Segment of the 52nd session of @UN_HRC. Spoke about the complicated environment in ????& focused on difficult human rights situation in ????????'s occupied regions. Outlined ????????'s priorities for HRC membership& accentuated severe humanitarian outcomes of war in????????. pic.twitter.com/mGQtUEBYIU

— Ilia Darchiashvili (@iliadarch) February 27, 2023

The Minister also noted direct appeals of the Human Rights Council and repeated efforts of the Office of the High Commissioner had not led to de facto authorities granting them access to the occupied regions, calling the circumstance “alarming”.

The humanitarian situation is constantly deteriorating and the fundamental rights of ethnic Georgians are being violated every day”, the Minister said, noting hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons and refugees were still unable to safely return to their homes.

The Government official also spoke about Georgia's priorities as a newly elected member of the Council.

Scheduled to run through Saturday, the agenda for the session involves discussion on matters ranging from the human rights situation in Ukraine to more general discussions and annual reviews of the body.