Georgian FM says despite clear progress, major challenges remain as Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region stay Occupied by Russian Federation

Georgian foreign minister Maka Botchorishvili on Monday said that despite evident progress, the country continues to face significant challenges, as the integral parts of Georgia’s territory - Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region - remain occupied by the Russian Federation.

During her speech at the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Botchorishvili noted that hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons are still unable to return safely to their homes.

“Recently, Georgia underwent its fourth Universal Periodic Review on human rights, sharing nearly 90 percent of the recommendations received during the previous cycle. I would like to thank all delegations for their invaluable contributions. Mr. President, despite clear progress, we continue to face serious challenges: integral parts of Georgia’s territory - Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region - remain occupied by the Russian Federation, where the local population is deprived of fundamental freedoms. Cases of detention, ill-treatment, and ethnic discrimination continue. Hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons are still unable to return safely to their homes. International human rights mechanisms continue to be denied access to the occupied territories, and there is no accountability where it is most needed”, the FM said.

Botchorishviili further added that the Georgian Government continues to work on this issue in the international arena, including through the annual resolution Cooperation with Georgia at the UN Human Rights Council.

“We count on your principled support”, she concluded.