UN Human Rights Council adopts resolution, expressing concern over human rights situation in Abkhazia, South Ossetia

The UN Human Rights Council has passed a resolution as part of its 34th session, expressing concern over the human rights and humanitarian situation in Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

In particular, as pointed out in the Resolution entitled ‘Co-operation with Georgia’, the local population has been deprived of its elementary rights, including the right to free movement, restricted access to education in one’s own language and healthcare services.

The UN Human Rights Council has called for ‘immediate access’ for the Office of the High Commissioner and international and regional human rights mechanisms to Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

According to the Resolution, the Council has requested the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to continue to provide technical assistance to Georgia and present an updated report on the human rights situation in Abkhazia and South Ossetia at the next sessions.

18 Out of the 47 Council members supported the draft resolution, 5 members voted against it and 24 abstained from voting.

As the Georgian Foreign Ministry pointed out in its statement, it was the first precedent set by the Human Rights Council on adopting a resolution on Georgia.

The Russian Foreign Ministry in turn noted that the draft resolution introduced by Georgia was ‘clearly politicized and aimed against Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Russia.’