UN adopts resolution in support of Georgia

Another message in support of Georgia and in critical address to Russia - The United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a resolution on Georgia in support of its state sovereignty and territorial integrity. 

“The UN Human Rights Council adopted the Resolution on Cooperation with Georgia at its 34th session held on 24 March 2017. The Resolution initiated by Georgia was co-sponsored by 43 states. It needs to be underlined that this is the first resolution adopted with respect to Georgia by the UN Human Rights Council – the UN body primarily responsible for protecting human rights.

In the Resolution the UN Human Rights Council reaffirms its commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders. In addition, the UN Human Rights Council recognizes with appreciation the efforts of the Government of Georgia to strengthen democracy, the rule of law and the promotion and protection of human rights.

The UN Human Rights Council welcomes the cooperation of the Government of Georgia with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, as well as with the special procedures of the Human Rights Council.

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 detention, and 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.

Furthermore, the Council expresses concern that internally displaced persons and refugees continue to be deprived of the right to return to their homes in a safe and dignified manner.

The document highlights that the Office of the High Commissioner and other international and regional human rights mechanisms have no immediate access to Abkhazia, Georgia and the Tskhinvali region, Georgia. The Council, in this context, recognizes the need for an objective and impartial assessments and periodic reporting of the situation in these regions. 

Based on the foregoing, the Council calls for immediate access for the Office of the High Commissioner to Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali regions.

The UN Human Rights Council requests the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to continue to provide technical assistance and to present its reports on the human rights situation in Georgia’s Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions at the Council’s 35th and 36th sessions”, says the Foreign Ministry. 

Georgia has been a member of the UN Human Rights Council since 2016.