OSCE PA Adopts Resolution on Conflicts in Georgia
The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s annual session in Tbilisi adopted on July 5 a final declaration, containing more than dozen of non-binding resolutions on issues ranging from security, economics and the environment to human rights and humanitarian concerns with one of them on conflict in Georgia.
The resolution calls on Russia to “implement fully and in good faith” the EU-mediated August 12, 2008 ceasefire agreement and to “reverse the recognition” of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
It urges Russia “to allow the establishment of international security arrangements in the occupied regions of Georgia and ensure the unimpeded access” of the EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM) to these regions, as well as “to allow the safe, dignified, and unhindered return of all internally displaced persons and refugees to their places of origin.”
The resolution also calls on Russia “to undertake the legally binding non-use of force commitment, in reciprocity to Georgia’s unilateral pledge.”
The issue of conflicts in Georgia is raised in number of other resolutions adopted previously by the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.
Presenting the draft resolution to the Assembly on July 3, Georgian Parliament Speaker Davit Usupashvili said that it is “paramount that the Assembly keeps the issue of conflict in Georgia high on its agenda to ensure that the Russian Federation complies with the standards of the international law and the rights of ordinary citizens are protected.”
In the resolution the Assembly expresses “regret that despite international calls, the Russian Federation remains in breach of International Law and disregards the EU-mediated 12 August 2008 Ceasefire Agreement, by continuing the policy of occupation and creeping annexation of the regions of Georgia.”
