**Council of Europe Slams Russia’s Occupation of Georgia**
On April 30, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe took a strong stance against Russia’s continued occupation of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The organization reaffirmed its support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia and condemned Russia’s actions as illegal and unacceptable.
**Russia’s Occupation: A Threat to Peace**
The decision comes 16 years after the 2008 war, which saw Russian forces occupy large parts of Georgia. Despite numerous calls from the international community for a peaceful resolution, Russia continues to impede progress. The Committee stressed that all actions by Russia intended to alter the status of Georgia’s regions are illegal and carry no legal effect.
**Human Rights Abuses**
The Council highlighted the grave human rights abuses committed against ethnic Georgians in the occupied territories. These include arbitrary detention, killings, torture, and displacement of people. The European Court of Human Rights has ruled on several cases, holding Russia responsible for these violations. Notably, a 2023 ruling ordered Russia to pay €130 million in damages to thousands of affected Georgian citizens.
**Restrictions on Freedom**
Humanitarian concerns were also underscored, including restricted freedom of movement, denial of medical evacuations, destruction of homes, and systemic discrimination against ethnic Georgians. The Council condemned the ongoing illegal detentions of Georgian citizens and expressed alarm over cases resulting in deaths.
**Call for Action**
The Committee reaffirmed its support for Georgia’s peace initiatives and stressed the urgent need to resume the suspended Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) in Gali since 2018. It also urged Russia to allow unrestricted access for Council of Europe monitoring bodies to the affected regions. The Council called on Russia to create conditions for the voluntary return of all IDPs and refugees, cease ethnic discrimination, and stop human rights violations.
**What’s Next?**
The decision concluded with calls on Russia to execute all European Court of Human Rights judgments and cooperate with the International Criminal Court regarding war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the occupation. The Council encouraged the Secretary General to continue biannual reporting on the situation and engage in dialogue with Russia and Georgia to secure monitoring access and accountability.
In related news, Abkhazia’s de facto authorities have been criticized for their policies, including a law that seeks to annex occupied territories. This move has sparked concern among human rights groups and international organizations. As tensions continue to simmer, the Council of Europe’s decision serves as a stark reminder of Russia’s occupation and its impact on the people of Georgia.
