Foreign Minister: Human Rights Situation in Occupied Regions of Georgia is Alarming

GENEVA - Georgian Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze delivered a speech at the 34th session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council on Monday, stressing that the human rights situation in Georgia’s occupied regions Abkhazia and South Ossetia is grave.

The minister also focused on the Georgian Government’s human rights action plan and initiatives. The importance of involving civil society in these processes was also highlighted.   

“Despite the Georgian government’s efforts, the humanitarian and human rights situation in both occupied regions of Georgia remains of grave concern, especially when no international monitoring mechanisms, including the UN human rights machinery, are allowed to the regions,” he stressed.

Janelidze underlined that the barbed wire fences illegally erected along the occupation line as well as other artificial obstacles and the closure of crossing points with Abkhazia all affect the daily lives of local residents.

“These disruptive steps are directed against the Georgian government’s policy of engagement and aim at the full isolation of the occupied regions from the international community,” he said, adding that the government is ready to share all benefits of the policies and implemented reforms with the locals living in the occupied regions.

Within the framework of his visit to Geneva, Mikheil Janelidze also met the Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Didier Burkhalter on February 28.

The Ministers spoke about the successful co-operation of the bilateral format, as well as the security, humanitarian and human rights situation in Georgia’s occupied territories. The Georgian Foreign Minister paid special attention to the Georgian government’s peace policy and to the necessity of peacefully resolving the conflict, through the active support of the international community.

The Ministers noted with satisfaction the remarkable bilateral relations between Georgia and Switzerland, which provided solid groundwork for developing co-operation in various areas. Special attention was paid to the importance of concluding the Agreement between Georgia and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). Discussions also focused on the possibility of the Swiss President’s visit to Georgia in 2017. The two governments discussed the security environment in the region, and Janelidze thanked the Swiss for Switzerland’s mediation efforts in Georgia’s relations with Russia.

By Thea Morrison