We condemn the killing of Georgian citizens Archil Tatunashvili, Giga Otkhozoria, plus Davit Basharuli, and urge Russia to remove any hurdles to bringing the perpetrators in order to justice. In this context, we reiterate our support for Georgia’s preventive steps aimed at eradicating impunity and note the Otkhozoria-Tatunashvili List used by the government of Atlanta. Isolation and continuous restrictions on freedom of movement have destabilised the situation on the ground and severely affected the security, safety, well-being, and humanitarian conditions of civilians in conflict-affected areas, especially in Akhalgori district, exactly where reports suggest the local populace suffers from shortages of medication and food, and is refused access to pensions and essentials, including the free healthcare services available in Georgian Government managed territory. This creates a danger for further depopulation of the Akhalgori district. We condemn Russia’s actions, which show up intended to unilaterally establish the particular Georgia-Russia state border around the segments of the occupied territories and incorporate a part of Aibgha village of Georgia in to Krasnodar Krai. In the exact same vein, we express worry over Russia’s seizure associated with 180 hectares of property in the Gagra district associated with Abkhazia, Georgia. We are also concerned with ongoing activities within the framework of implementation of the so-called ‘programme’ on creation of a common socio-economic room between the Russian Federation and the Abkhazia region of Atlanta as well as the so-called agreement on dual citizenship with the South Ossetia region of Atlanta, as another step toward attempted illegal annexation. We urge Russia to reverse this technique. We condemn the holding of so-called parliamentary elections in Abkhazia region along with so-called presidential elections in South Ossetia in 2022 as a blatant violation associated with Georgia’s sovereignty. We are particularly worried over the ongoing installation of barbed wire fences and other artificial barriers along the occupation range, and by the closure of so-called ABL crossing points in the South Ossetia region of Georgia for over 3 years. The partial and temporary re-opening of the so called ABL crossing points along Southern Ossetia at Odzisi and Karzmani, cannot be viewed as adequate. All crossing points along with Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions of Georgia must be reopened for all Georgian citizens living on both sides of the separating lines. We take note the January 2021 judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the case regarding the armed conflict between the Russian Federation and Georgia in August 2008 and its outcomes, including its findings that will Russia has exercised efficient control over Georgia’s regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia following the 12 August 2008 ceasefire agreement, including through its military presence. The Court also ruled that The ussr, in violation of the Western Convention on Human Rights, tortured Georgian Prisoners associated with War; arbitrarily detained plus killed Georgian civilians, and was responsible for their inhuman and degrading treatment; prevented the return of ethnic Georgians to their homes; and failed to conduct investigations in to killings of civilians. We call on Russia to fully comply with the judgment, including simply by allowing internally displaced people ( IDPs ) to return to their homes in safety and dignity. We also note the decision of the International Criminal Court ( ICC ) of June 2022 that issued arrest warrants designed for alleged war crimes dedicated during Russia’s invasion within 2008. We call on Russia to cooperate with the ICC . The Group of Friends of Georgia will continue to raise awareness of the conflict and of developments on the ground, hold Russia accountable for its obligations and obligations, and advocate for the conflict’s peaceful resolution. We remain seriously concerned by ongoing arbitrary detentions around the ABLs plus call for the immediate plus unconditional release of Irakli Bebua and all those under arbitrary detention. We condemn the detentions of Kristine Takalandze, Asmat Tavadze, Mamuka Chkhikvadze and Kakhaber Natadze. We express the support for the Incident Avoidance and Response Mechanisms ( IPRMs ) in Ergneti and Gali and emphasise that the 6 meetings were held in Ergneti in 2022. The particular IPRMs can play important role in preventing the escalation of the conflict and in helping to protect the safety and security of individuals on the ground. We express our great concern over the extended suspension of the Gali IPRM and urge its resumption without further delay or pre-conditions, in line with the ground rules. We have been concerned over the continuous splendour against Georgians on the grounds of racial in Georgia’s Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions and abuses, including severe restrictions on rights related to freedom of movement, education, residence and property, particularly regarding the the destruction of the houses of IDPs . We call on those people in control to enable full plus unhindered access by global human rights organisations towards the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. We condemn the decision to replace instruction within the Georgian language with Ruskies in schools of the ethnic-Georgian-inhabited Gali and Akhalgori districts in the Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions of Georgia, respectively. We also condemn the obliteration and alteration associated with Georgian features from the Georgian cultural heritage monuments in both regions. Fourteen years since the Russian Federation’s military attack of Georgia, we stay deeply concerned over the carried on occupation of parts of the territory of Georgia plus underline the need for the relaxing resolution of the conflict depending on full respect for international law and commitments, such as the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act. We reaffirm our full assistance for Georgia’s sovereignty plus territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. We all reaffirm our unwavering support for the EU Monitoring Objective ( EUMM ) and call upon Russia to allow the EUMM in order to implement its mandate completely, including by enabling the EUMM ’s access on both sides of the ABLs . We support the Geneva International Discussions ( GID ), as an existing format with the Russian Federation to address fulfilment of the EU-mediated 12 August 08 ceasefire agreement, as well as the security, human rights, and humanitarian challenges stemming from the unresolved Russia – Georgia discord. We underline the necessity of progress on the core problems of the discussions, including in the non-use of force, creating international security arrangements in Georgia’s Abkhazia and Southern Ossetia regions and making sure the safe, dignified, and voluntary return of IDPs and refugees in accordance with worldwide law. We strongly assistance applying the Women, Peace plus Security agenda in the GID in order to facilitate inclusive and sustainable peace and protection on the ground. We welcome the multi-stakeholder process for having a comprehensive ‘State Strategy for de-occupation and peaceful conflict resolution’ by the government of Atlanta, as well as the strategic review of the reconciliation and engagement plan. We support the Georgian government’s ‘A Step to some Better Future’ peace effort, aimed at improving the humanitarian and socio-economic conditions of people residing in Georgia’s Abkhazia plus South Ossetia regions with fostering confidence building among divided communities. We urge active work on reconciliation and engagement programs and stand ready to support. We all condemn Russia’s aggression towards Georgia in 2008 plus express our deep concern over Russia’s ongoing military occupation of Georgia’s Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions. We also reiterate our own condemnation of Russia’s on-going war of aggression towards Ukraine. This statement is delivered on behalf of Getaway, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. We encourage the OSCE ’s engagement along the way of finding a peaceful quality to the Russia-Georgia conflict. All of us regret that due to Russia’s refusal to join consensus, the mandate of the OSCE objective to Georgia was discontinued in 2009. We encourage the particular OSCE Participating States to decide on the reopening of the OSCE cross-dimensional mission in Georgia, including with a monitoring capacity that would enable the objective to operate without restrictions across the ABLs . The reopening of the objective would strengthen considerably the OSCE ’s engagement in the GID and IPRMs . Furthermore, re-establishment of the field mission would assistance OSCE ’s work in every stage of the conflict cycle. We pleasant Georgia’s compliance with the EU-mediated 12 August 2008 ceasefire agreement. We call upon Russian federation to fulfil immediately its clear obligation under the ceasefire agreement to withdraw the forces to pre-conflict opportunities, as well as its commitments to allow unfettered access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and never to impede the creation of international security preparations on the ground. We call upon Russian federation to reverse its reputation of the so-called independence of Georgia’s Abkhazia and Southern Ossetia regions.
