In New York, 63 countries backed Georgia’s initiative to adopt the resolution on the “Status” of internally displaced people and refugees in Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
100 states backed the resolution, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Ministry noted that Georgia had consistently presented this Resolution to the UN General Assembly ever since 2008. The resolution condemns the demographic changes that have been forced on Georgian occupied areas by Russia. It affirms that all internally displaced persons, regardless of their ethnicity, have the right to return home safely and in dignity.
“Aside from the humanitarian context, this resolution also has a very practical impact. It instructs the UN Secretary General to prepare an annual update on the situation of displaced people living in Georgia, and the implementation of that resolution. This is important because of the human rights situation on the occupied territories of Georgia by Russia, and the lack international monitoring mechanisms that are another obstacle to a safe and dignified returning of internally displaced people and refugees.
The resolution also calls for the Geneva negotiators intensify their efforts in order to improve the human rights and security situation in the regions occupied by Russia of Georgia, which will facilitate return of internally displaced people and refugees to their home,” noted the Ministry.
During the discussion on the IDP resolution, which was initiated by the Georgians, statements were made in support of the resolution by the Australian (CANS – on behalf of Canada Australia and New Zealand), Lithuanian (on behalf NORDIC/BALTIC), European Union, USA, United Kingdom, Japan and Ukraine delegations. They urged the other UN members to back the resolution.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia expressed gratitude to all states who supported the resolution.
Read More @ georgiatoday.ge