107 countries back UNGA resolution on status of internally displaced persons, refugees from Georgia’s Russian-occupied territories

The United Nations General Assembly on Thursday adopted the resolution on the status of Internally Displaced Persons and Refugees from Russian-occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali/South Ossetia regions, within the framework of the 80th session, with 107 votes in favour, with 8 against.

Georgia has been submitting this resolution to the UN General Assembly since May 2008 and, given its objectives, is of a humanitarian nature.

The resolution condemns the demographic changes carried out by force in Georgia’s Russian-occupied regions, affirms the right of displaced persons, regardless of their ethnicity, to return to their homes in dignity and safety, and emphasises the need to respect and protect their property rights.

In addition to the humanitarian context, the resolution also has a practical significance, as it instructs the UN Secretary-General to prepare an annual report on the implementation of the resolution. This is particularly important given the difficult human rights situation in Georgia’s Russian-occupied regions and the absence of international monitoring mechanisms.

The resolution further calls on the participants of the Geneva International Discussions to intensify efforts aimed at improving the security and human rights situation in Georgia's Russian-occupied regions which, in turn, would facilitate the return of internally displaced persons and refugees to their places of origin.

In recent years, this resolution has evolved into a global initiative, garnering support from dozens of countries as co-sponsors from various regions around the world. This year, the number of co-sponsors increased by four, reaching 68.

Co-sponsorship of the resolution enables these countries to participate even more actively in international efforts aimed at addressing the severe humanitarian situation resulting from Russia’s aggression and occupation.

During the debate on the said resolution supportive statements were delivered by the President of the UN General Assembly, the European Union, Lithuania (on behalf of the Baltic and Nordic countries), the United Kingdom, Australia (on behalf of Canada and New Zealand), Ukraine and Japan.

The Georgian Foreign Ministry expressed its gratitude to all the countries that voted in favor of the resolution and joined as co-sponsors.

Through their support, each of these countries reaffirmed the right of displaced persons and refugees to return to their homes and expressed solidarity with every individual affected by displacement.