UK reaffirms its support for Georgia’s sovereignty, calls out Russian occupation at UN HRC

The United Kingdom on Wednesday reaffirmed its support for Georgian sovereignty during a session at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva and called out Russian occupation of Georgian territory.

In a statement, Minister of State Stephen Doughty noted that the United Kingdom continued to be a strong supporter of United Nations Human Rights Council Resolution 60/16 on Cooperation with Georgia.

“For 17 years, Russia’s unlawful military grip on Abkhazia and South Ossetia has defied international law and denied ethnic Georgians their basic human rights. This occupation must end”, Doughty said.

“Russia must withdraw its forces, reverse its recognition of these so-called independent regions, and open the door to international human rights monitors. Every displaced person - regardless of ethnicity - deserves the right to return home in safety, dignity, and peace”, he concluded.