CoE calls on Russia to Stop Its Policy towards Georgia’s Occupied Territories

The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (CoE), the key decision-making body of the 47-state organization, has published its decision “The Council of Europe and the conflict in Georgia,” saying Russia is responsible for the existing conflict in the country.

The Deputy Ministers reiterating the unequivocal support of the CoE member States for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia and  stated that the policy and actions of the Russia with regard to the Georgian breakaway regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region(South Ossetia) undermine the ongoing efforts to strengthen security and stability in the region, clearly violate Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and have no legal validity.

They also underlined that any illegal act aimed at changing the status of the Georgian regions will have no legal effect and called upon Russia to stop and reverse this process and to comply with its international law obligations and commitments, including the 12 August 2008 Ceasefire Agreement.

“Georgia, as the only sovereign State under international law over its regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region, is still prevented from exercising legitimate jurisdiction over these regions due to the illegal actions of the Russian Federation, including its continuing military presence therein,” the decision of the deputies reads.

During the meeting it was also noted that despite the constant calls on Russia to reverse the process of the installation of artificial obstacles along the administrative boundary lines (ABLs) which divide families and communities, violate human rights and fundamental freedoms and complicate the settlement of the conflict involving two member States, it continues this process.

Moreover, the deputies expressed their concern that the closure of “crossing points” across the ABL of the Georgian region of Abkhazia is detrimental for freedom of movement and livelihood of the local residents and will further deteriorate the humanitarian situation.

The decision of the deputies expressed profound concern that the human rights situation in the occupied regions of Georgia has been further deteriorating, including with regard to the right to education in native language, the right to freedom of movement, the right to property, the right to liberty and security.

The participants of the meeting deeply regretted that neither the Commissioner for Human Rights and the monitoring bodies, nor the Secretariat delegation preparing the Secretary General’s consolidated reports have been granted access to the Georgian regions concerned.

They invited the Secretary General to engage in a dialogue with the Russian Federation and Georgia to this end and called on Russia to secure immediate and unrestricted access to the territories beyond the control of the Government of Georgia to the Councilor Europe bodies.

CoE called on authorities exercising effective control over Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region to create conditions allowing for the voluntary, safe and dignified return of IDPs and refugees, and to protect their right to property and to secure an effective remedy, and to prevent obtaining property in violation and to guarantee and implement the right to education for everyone in schools and preschools, including education in the native language in the Georgian region of Abkhazia.

The organization welcomed the efforts of Georgia to reach out to the population of the occupied regions by enhancing humanitarian activities and expressed appreciation for the various initiatives taken by Georgia in this respect, inter alia, through providing education opportunities and a free medical service to the residents of these regions. It also underlined the importance of further promoting people‑to‑people contacts and support for confidence-building measures.

Georgia’s Foreign Minister, Mihkeil Janelidze welcomed the decision of CoE and thanked the organization for the support.

Welcoming CoE CMD dcsn on t/Conflict in Georgia. Clear msg of m.states 2 Russia.Geo is high on t/CoE political agenda.Thanks 2 member states

— Mikheil Janelidze (@JanelidzeMkh) May 3, 2017

By Thea Morrison