Council of Europe reviews latest report on conflict in Georgia, flags ongoing concerns in Russian-occupied regions

The Committee of Ministers’ Deputies of the Council of Europe on Wednesday examined the Secretary General’s 33rd consolidated report on the conflict in Georgia, highlighting ongoing security, human rights, and humanitarian concerns in the Russian-occupied regions.

The session was attended by Lasha Darsalia, Georgia’s deputy minister of foreign affairs, who addressed participants on the current situation in the country’s Russian-occupied territories.

The report was presented by the secretary general of the Council of Europe Alain Berset. It covers developments and updates concerning the occupied territories during the period from October 2025 to March 2026.

The document provides an overview of the security, human rights and humanitarian situation in the regions of Georgia occupied by Russia, as well as along the occupation line.

Darsalia thanked the secretary general and the Committee of Ministers for the preparation of the report and stressed the need to maintain the issue as a priority for the Council of Europe.

He briefed participants on the grave security, humanitarian, and human rights situation in the occupied territories, highlighting destructive actions by the occupation regimes.

Darsalia further highlighted the importance of ensuring the return of internally displaced persons and refugees from the occupied territories to their homes.

The deputy minister drew particular attention to the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, which confirm Russia’s occupation and effective control over Georgian regions, as well as its violation of the 12 August 2008 ceasefire agreement.

He also spoke about the ongoing Geneva International Discussions and reaffirmed Georgia’s dedication to a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

Berset reaffirmed the Council of Europe’s strong support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and confirmed that the organisation would continue issuing consolidated reports on the conflict within its mandate.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Darsalia also held a bilateral meeting with Alain Berset, during which both sides discussed current issues on the bilateral agenda and expressed readiness to further strengthen cooperation.