Cooperation with Georgia

Condemnatory

No

Analysis

• While the resolution contains several paragraphs critical of the “authorities in control in Abkhazia, Georgia and the Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia,” the vague reference to the “authorities in control” is not sufficient to render this resolution condemnatory against Russia which is never mentioned by name in the resolution. Although many consider these territories to be illegally occupied by Russia, the “authorities in control” are not Russia itself but a local puppet regime. Furthermore, the High Commissioner's report mentioned in the resolution similarly uses the term “authorities in control” and refers separately to the Russian Federation when it is talking about Russia. This confirms that the term “authorities in control” does not mean Russia, even if the criticism is implicitly directed at Russia.
• Moreover, the resolution was adopted under Item 10, which concerns mere "technical assistance" and usually signals an uncritical approach.

Main Sponsors

Georgia

Vote

Yes - 20, No - 2, Abstain - 24, Absent - 1

See Full Vote

Key Praise

• "Welcoming the cooperation of the Government of Georgia with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, its office in Tbilisi, and other relevant international and regional human rights mechanisms and actors."
• "Recognizing with appreciation the efforts of the Government of Georgia to strengthen democracy, the rule of law and the promotion and protection of human rights."

Key Criticism

• "Expressing serious concern at the continuous process of installation and advancement of barbed wire fences and different artificial barriers along the administrative boundary line in Abkhazia, Georgia, and Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia, Georgia and adjacent areas."
• "Expressing serious concern also at various forms of reported discrimination against ethnic Georgians, violations of the right to life, deprivation of liberty, arbitrary detentions and kidnappings, infringements of the right to property, violations of the right to health, restrictions on education in one’s native language in both Georgian regions."
• "Expressing serious concern further at the lack of accountability for incidents of ethnically targeted violations of the right to life of Georgians committed in the period from 2016 to 2019..."