Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Mikheil Ninua delivered a statement at the 42th Session of the UN Human Rights Council

“Thank you Mr. President,

 

At the outset I would like to thank Madam High Commissioner and her office for the Report (A/HRC/42/34) presented today.

 

Report indeed demonstrates blatant violations of human rights in the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali under Russian occupation.

 

We are alarmed by the destructive actions of the Russian Federation, aimed at deterioration of the situation on the ground. Population living in the occupied Georgian regions and near the administrative boundary line has to endure the negative implications of illegal heavy militarisation, installation of razor and  barbed wire fences, kidnappings and arbitrary detentions, restrictions of fundamental human rights and ethnic discrimination in the occupied regions.

 

Just to give you the recent example, on 7 August, 2019 Russian FSB troops entered the territory controlled by the Georgian Government and launched erection of the artificial barriers in the middle of the yards of two local families in the village of Gugutiantkari.

 

The Russian occupation forces continued to further destabilize the situation by entering the territory controlled by the Government of Georgia, erecting a so-called border sign and initiated the construction of the guard post near the village Chorchana.

 

Furthermore, on 4 September the occupation regime closed the occupation line in Tskhinvali region for indefinite period of time. Since June 2019 similar restrictions are in effect in Abkhazia region and men between the ages of 18 and 65 are not allowed to cross the occupation line. This closure further restricts the freedom of movement and risks the humanitarian crisis in the occupied regions.

 

The so-called parliamentary and presidential elections respectively in Tskhinvali and Abkhazia regions held in June and August this year represent yet another attempt by the Russian Federation to legitimise the occupation and ethnic cleansing of Georgians in the occupied territories.

 

The fundamental right to life is not protected in the occupied regions. Just several months ago another Georgian IDP, Irakli Kvaratskhelia died while being arbitrarily detained at illegally stationed Russian FSB base in Abkhazia region, making him 4th IDP victim murdered by the occupation regimes. In this respect he “Otkhozoria-Tatunashvili” list adopted by the Government of Georgia serves this purpose and Georgia relies on international support to this List. It is imperative to bring the perpetrators to justice.

 

Moreover, Sokhumi occupation regime introduced the so called law on death penalty for drug related crimes. Naturally, it has no legitimacy and is absolutely null and void, but this action will further encourage the deprivation of life of local population in occupied Abkhazia region.

 

Still there is no progress in terms of ensuring right for safe and dignified return to the IDPs and refugees produced by multiple waves of ethnic cleansing in the occupied Georgian territories. If the current negative process is not effectively reversed many more of residents of the occupied regions can be expected to join the IDP ranks.

 

And in addition to these destructive actions the Russian Federation tries to deliberately undermine the peaceful conflict resolution process and hampers the negotiations in the Geneva International Discussions and IPRMs within the GID.

 

Mr. President,

 

Regrettably despite the repeated efforts of the High Commissioner and direct call of the HRC Resolution 40/28, the occupying power and its regimes once again denied the Office an access to both regions. In this regard, we join the High Commissioner in her call for unfettered access for the OHCHR and other human rights mechanisms to the occupied regions of Georgia.

 

The Russian Federation, being in effective control over the both occupied Georgian regions is solely responsible for the above grave violation of the universal Human Rights.

 

In this light the importance of unified strong voice of international society cannot be overestimated in order to make Russia comply with its international obligations. We call on the Russian Federation to implement the EU-mandated Ceasefire Agreement of 12 August, 2008 and withdraw its illegally stationed military troops from both occupied regions.

 

Mr. President, My Government fully recognizes responsibility to protect human rights throughout the whole territory of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders. Being in full compliance with the Ceasefire Agreement, we are committed to the effective use of the Geneva International Discussions. The reconciliation policy remains our priority- the peace initiative “A Step to a Better Future” seeks to improve the humanitarian, social, and economic conditions of people residing in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions and to encourage interaction across the dividing lines.” – Mikheil Ninua