YouSaid · the spoken record

Imnadze

lines on the record: 240
first: 2013-08-06
most recent: 2022-03-08
sittings or episodes: 35
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“Women living in Georgia’s occupied regions, as well as in the areas adjacent to the occupation line, continue to suffer from systematic grave violations of their fundamental rights and freedoms, including but not limited violations of their freedom of movement and illegal detentions by Russian occupying forces. In conclusion, let me once again call on the Russian Federation to immediately and without any preconditions cease its military actions in and against Ukraine, as well as to withdraw all its military forces and immediately and unconditionally reverse the illegal decisions related to the status of integral parts of Ukraine, in full respect of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence within its internationally recognized borders and territorial waters.”
2022-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8989Resumption1 (2022) · source
“In that regard, Georgia tries to maintain the issue of conflict-affected women, including internally displaced persons, on the agenda of the Geneva International Discussions, which is the only format of negotiations between Georgia and Russia on the security and humanitarian issues stemming from the Russian aggression and occupation of two Georgian regions. Yet, despite the Georgian Government’s efforts to empower conflict-affected women, the ongoing occupation of Georgia’s Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions by Russia makes them the most vulnerable segments of our society.”
2022-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8989Resumption1 (2022) · source
“As of today, in breach of all the international commitments, including, inter alia, the EU-mediated 12 August 2008 ceasefire agreement, the Russian Federation continues its illegal and provocative actions against the occupied regions of Georgia, conducting the so-called “borderization process”, which in effect is nothing less than a continuous aggression and a creeping annexation. The humanitarian consequences of the actions I have mentioned are appalling, given the unbearable human rights situation and the conditions that the civilian population — above all women and children — have to endure. Ensuring the meaningful engagement of women in the peace process is a high priority for us.”
2022-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8989Resumption1 (2022) · source
“Violating agreements reached impedes the opening of humanitarian corridors to allow the safe evacuation of civilians and the delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid, which reportedly has led to the death of civilians, including children. That is an assault on international human rights law and international humanitarian law and a violation of key principles of the Charter of the United Nations, the Helsinki Final Act and the Charter of Paris. We call for accountability. All international humanitarian and human rights mechanisms must be granted safe, immediate and unimpeded access wherever needed, throughout the entire territory of Ukraine. Unfortunately, Russian aggression and occupation is well known to Georgia. In fact, what we see in Ukraine is a continuation of the same pattern we witnessed in my own country years ago.”
2022-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8989Resumption1 (2022) · source
“At the outset, let me express appreciation to United Arab Emirates for convening this debate on women and peace and security today, 8 March, International Women’s Day. Today more than ever, women long for peace. We all do, but it is women and children who suffer most as the war continues to rage in Ukraine. Indiscriminate attacks on civilian infrastructure, residential areas, schools, kindergartens and hospitals are mind-boggling. Innocent civilians, many of whom are women and children, continue to die or flee their homes. Two million Ukrainian refugees fled for their lives to Eastern European countries, most of them women and children. Georgia aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the European Union (EU) and in my national capacity I would like to add the following. We condemn Russia’s aggression.”
2022-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8989Resumption1 (2022) · source
“It must fulfil its international obligations, including the European Union-mediated 12 August 2008 ceasefire agreement and the Minsk agreements, and withdraw its forces from the territory of its sovereign neighbouring States. For its part, my country reiterates its readiness to contribute to the Secretary-General’s endeavour to mobilize the international community’s political will and commitment to prioritizing the protection of civilians in armed conflict.”
2022-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8953Resumption1 (2022) · source
“The aggression and occupation policy and hybrid methods of warfare, well tested against my own country, are now being used against Ukraine. After eight years of armed aggression and the illegal annexation of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, we are witnessing an unprecedented military build-up and further looming military threats. It is imperative that the international community remain committed to defending its principles. It is of particular necessity that international organizations be firm and vocal on Russia’s responsibility in terms of both human rights violations and the denial of access for international human rights mechanisms on the ground. Russia needs to be strongly and continuously reminded that threatening any country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is totally unacceptable.”
2022-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8953Resumption1 (2022) · source
“The judgment of the European Court of Human Rights of 21 January 2021, which attested to Russia’s ongoing occupation and effective control of the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali, confirmed those violations and the violations of the European-mediated 12 August 2008 ceasefire agreement and found Russia responsible for human rights violations on the ground as well as for ethnic cleansing of the Georgian population. While no international human rights mechanisms are allowed inside, and the European Union Monitoring Mission is deprived of the possibility of entering occupied regions to fully implement its mandate, Russia is continuing to build a considerable military footprint in Georgia’s Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions and is taking steps towards their de facto annexation.”
2022-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8953Resumption1 (2022) · source
“More than 30 cities and villages, including the capital, were shelled with cluster bombs and other types of prohibited munitions. As a result, more than 400 civilians and military personnel were killed and more than 1,700 wounded; thousands joined the half a million internally displaced persons and refugees expelled during the previous waves of ethnic cleansing; 53 villages in and around the Tskhinvali region were fully cleansed and destroyed; and 35,000 houses belonging to ethnic Georgians were deliberately burnt and ruined.”
2022-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8953Resumption1 (2022) · source
“I join my colleagues in thanking the Norwegian presidency for having convened today’s debate. I wish also to align myself with the statement made earlier today by the delegation of the European Union, and in my national capacity I would like to add the following. We are deeply alarmed by the findings in the Secretary-General’s latest report (S/2021/423) that civilians continue to be dramatically affected by armed conflicts. My country has its own bitter experience of falling victim to disproportionate attacks, not in the remote past but in 2008, when Georgia became the subject of full-scale military aggression from its neighbour Russia, in gross violation of the Charter of the United Nations and the Helsinki Final Act.”
2022-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8953Resumption1 (2022) · source
“In conclusion, I would like to reiterate Georgia’s commitment to integrating a gender perspective in decision-making, protecting the rights of women and promoting their meaningful participation in conflict prevention and peacebuilding, in line with the relevant Security Council resolutions.”
2022-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8949Resumption1 (2022) · source
“To meet our commitments under the relevant Security Council resolutions, we continue to support and promote conflict-affected women in Georgia as a driving force for public diplomacy. As a result, more than 65 per cent of those involved in the peace process in Georgia today are women. However, those efforts are undermined by the ongoing occupation of Georgia’s Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions, where fundamental human rights violations occur on a daily basis. Instead of supporting and advancing the involvement of women, including women human rights defenders, the occupying regime brutally intimidates and silences them. The case of the civil-society activist Ms. Tamar Mearakishvili is a vivid example.”
2022-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8949Resumption1 (2022) · source
“In that regard, Georgia is working to keep the issues of women affected by conflict, including internally displaced persons, on the agenda of the Geneva international discussions, the only format of negotiations between Georgia and Russia on security and humanitarian issues. With the support of UN- Women Georgia, the participants in the Geneva discussions hold regular meetings with representatives of civil society, including internally displaced women, conflict-affected women and women’s rights advocacy groups, in order to exchange information about the peace negotiations and ensure that the needs and priorities of conflict-affected women are integrated into the planning of the peace process.”
2022-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8949Resumption1 (2022) · source
“Our fourth national action plan, for the period from 2022 to 2024, is currently being deliberated on by the Government’s inter-agency team, with the involvement of the relevant local civil-society groups and international organizations. The action plan constitutes a whole-of-Government approach to integrating gender perspectives into the security sector and into decision-making processes, using a gender lens in peace negotiations, protecting the rights of women and girls and promoting their meaningful participation in conflict prevention and resolution. In addition, the national action plan aims to protect the rights of conflict-affected women through ensuring their physical, social and economic security as well as supporting their participation in decision-making.”
2022-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8949Resumption1 (2022) · source
“More worryingly, existing social and economic inequalities, especially for women in fragile situations, have been worsened by the ongoing pandemic. The number of killings of women human rights defenders, journalists and trade unionists increased in 2020 compared to previous years, as stated in the Secretary-General’s recent report (S/2021/827), and cases of intimidation, threats and harassment remain a matter of deep concern. Ensuring the meaningful engagement of women in the peace process is a high priority for Georgia. My Government has been implementing the women and peace and security agenda since 2011, when we adopted our first national action plan.”
2022-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8949Resumption1 (2022) · source
“Madam President, allow me to join my colleagues in congratulating you on your assumption of the presidency and expressing our appreciation for the convening of this debate. My gratitude also goes to the distinguished briefers. My delegation aligns itself with the statement made earlier today on behalf of the European Union, and I would like to add the following comments in my national capacity. Sustainable peace cannot be achieved without women’s full, equal and meaningful participation at all levels of decision-making. We welcome women’s increasing participation in areas pertaining to international peace and security. However, despite the achievements made so far, progress in the implementation of the women and peace and security agenda remains rather slow, and more work is needed to achieve our objectives.”
2022-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8949Resumption1 (2022) · source
“We hope that, after more than a decade, the alleged crimes will effectively be investigated and justice served, thereby paving the way for reconciliation, rebuilding and sustaining peace. In that regard, we call on the international community to take a consistent and firm stance, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the norms of international law.”
2020-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8723Resumption1 (2020) · source
“To that end, Georgia recognizes the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice and reaffirms its support for the primacy of the peaceful settlement of disputes. Georgia actively cooperates with the Court in investigating crimes committed during the Russian aggression in 2008, which represents the first- ever case of the Court entering Europe’s legal geography. We are also engaged at the regional level. Georgia has submitted two inter-State applications to the European Court of Human Rights against Russia — one concerning the August 2008 military aggression and continuous occupation of its territories and the other concerning Russia’s administrative practice of harassing, arresting, detaining, assaulting and murdering Georgian citizens living in the occupied territories, as well as along the occupation line.”
2020-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8723Resumption1 (2020) · source
“The Security Council is well aware that the territorial integrity and sovereignty of my country is being violated and that two of Georgia’s regions, Abkhazia and Tskhinvali/South Ossetia, continue to be under illegal foreign military occupation. The Georgian Government cannot exercise its jurisdiction over those territories, while international organizations and monitoring mechanisms are also denied access by the occupying Power. Therefore, impunity continues, and we have seen gross violations of human rights against ethnic Georgians, including restrictions on their freedom of movement, access to health care and education in their native language; kidnappings; arbitrary detentions; and deprivation of life. The only mechanism available to us is to uphold the rule of law at both the national and international levels.”
2020-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8723Resumption1 (2020) · source
“Let me also join colleagues in expressing my appreciation to the Belgian presidency for convening today’s debate. I also thank the briefers. My country, Georgia, aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the European Union. I would like to add the following comments in my national capacity. Transitional justice is an essential building block for the establishment of reconciliation and sustaining peace. But, first, justice needs to be served. Atrocities committed during conflict cannot go unpunished. Only after justice is restored will the wounds of society start to heal. Transitional justice processes are ideally nationally owned and always context-specific, but in the case of my country they reflect not only the domestic reality but the international dimension as well.”
2020-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8723Resumption1 (2020) · source
“This represents a clear attempt on the part of the occupying Power and the authorities in control to further destabilize the already grave security, humanitarian and human rights situation on the ground. It is even more alarming that illegal detentions, kidnappings, torture, killings and loss of life have become regular and no one is held accountable for those crimes. The occupying Power is the sole party responsible for the situation on the ground. Therefore, the engagement of our partners and the United Nations, first and foremost to support our reconciliation efforts, will significantly contribute to achieving sustainable peace.”
2019-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8668Resumption1 (2019) · source
“As a result, we had yet another fatal accident when 70-year-old Margo Martiashvili, requiring urgent medical assistance, died because ofthe refusal by the occupying regime to open the so-called crossing point in order to access the nearest hospital. Recently, on 9 November, Dr. Vazha Gaprindashvili from Tbilisi, while paying a visit to a patient in need of urgent care, was illegally detained by the occupation forces, sentenced to two months of pretrial detention, and remains in custody as we speak, on the allegation of so-called illegal border crossing and other concocted accusations. Dr. Gaprindashvili should be released at once. We call on the international community to take a firm and principled stance on that issue.”
2019-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8668Resumption1 (2019) · source
“Free health-care services are a key direction of the Georgian Government's peace and engagement policy, whereby the residents of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions are able to access various State health- care programmes. In particular, the State referral programme covers the medical treatment of persons residing in the occupied regions free of charge. It is important to mention that the number of beneficiaries increases each year. However, as we speak, the programme is under serious threat in the Tskhinvali region. Just a few weeks ago, we informed the Council on the recent cases of the borderization and closure of the so-called crossing points in the Tskhinvali region, particularly in Akhalgori district.”
2019-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8668Resumption1 (2019) · source
“Documents issued in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali, while being illegal, will be used for the purpose ofidentification and determination of facts of birth, death, marriage, divorce and residence in these regions, and necessary civil documents will be issued subsequently. In order to support the implementation of the peace initiative A Step to a Better Future, on 12 August the Georgian Government established a peace fund. The fund issues grants for socioeconomic projects across the dividing lines, thereby facilitating dialogue, cooperation, reconciliation and confidence-building between divided communities, as well as the empowerment of conflict-affected populations living on both sides of the dividing lines and the improvement of their socioeconomic conditions.”
2019-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8668Resumption1 (2019) · source
“The second dimension is enhancing educational opportunities for the residents of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali by easing access to all stages of education throughout the area and expanding opportunities to participate in international educational programmes by simplifying access to international universities in a status-neutral way. Importantly, in partnership with the international community, the initiative seeks to protect the Abkhaz language so as to ensure education in the native language in Abkhazia. The third dimension is easing access to State services by simplifying technical procedures for obtaining Georgian passports and life-cycle documents by the residents of occupied regions.”
2019-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8668Resumption1 (2019) · source
“The main novelty of the initiative is that, together with other tangible benefits and opportunities, for the first time the initiative provides possibilities for economic activity and trade across the dividing lines. The peace initiative covers three main dimensions. The first is facilitating trade across the dividing lines. The goal is to encouragejoint business initiatives and to simplify and expand trade through the creation of new opportunities by enabling the products originating from or produced in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali to access the internal market of Georgia, as well as foreign markets, through the export opportunities available to Georgia. It also allows the supply of goods produced on Georgian-controlled territories, or imported into Georgia, to the occupied regions.”
2019-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8668Resumption1 (2019) · source
“Even as it confronts Russian occupation and creeping annexation along the occupation line in those two regions, the Georgian Government spares no effort to build trust and confidence between artificially divided communities and to enhance people-to-people contacts, including through the engagement of women in peace projects and confidence-building measures. In 2018, in close cooperation with all relevant national and international stakeholders, the Georgian Government adopted a new package of peace initiatives entitled A Step to a Better Future. The initiative has sparked the interest of the local population in both Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali, and even with the artificial obstacles installed along the dividing lines, people-to-people contacts and interest in travel throughout Georgia have increased.”
2019-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8668Resumption1 (2019) · source
“Let mejoin my colleagues in expressing our gratitude to the United Kingdom presidency for convening today's debate, taking up the issue of reconciliation and placing it high on the Council's agenda. We congratulate the United Kingdom on its assumption of the presidency. Reconciliation is vital to achieving sustainable peace and, in today's continuous cycle of wars, violent conflicts and failed peace agreements, advancing the process of reconciliation becomes urgent. Georgia is committed to the policy of peaceful conflict resolution, and pursues a reconciliation and engagement policy towards its occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia.”
2019-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8668Resumption1 (2019) · source
“In that context, let me also underline the importance of the international community taking a consistent and firm stance on safeguarding children's rights in conflict-affected areas everywhere in the world, including the occupied regions of Georgia, so no one is left behind.”
2019-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8591 (2019) · source
“The arbitrary closure of the crossing points causes additional problems for children, such as access to health care, thereby making the grave humanitarian conditions in the occupied regions even worse. In an attempt to address the issue of protection of children and their rights in the occupied territories, the Georgian Government's peace initiative, entitled A Step to a Better Future, also seeks to improve the humanitarian, social and economic conditions of the population, including children and young people, residing in the regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali by, inter alia, enhancing their educational opportunities. Despite the difficult context, I reaffirm Georgia's strong and unwavering commitment to the protection of the fundamental rights of the child.”
2019-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8591 (2019) · source
“Multifaceted restrictions on freedom of movement further impede access to education, as children who cross the occupation line to attend classes in Georgian schools located in the vicinity of the Georgian- controlled territory fall victim to Russian occupying forces and must endure the forced inspection of their schoolbags. If Georgian books are found, they are detained for hours and suffer other forms of harassment as well. The closure of the only remaining so-called crossing point in the Abkhazia region in July has further exacerbated the situation by preventing schoolchildren from participating in exams for enrolment in the universities located in the territory controlled by the central Government.”
2019-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8591 (2019) · source
“In 2015, the Georgian language was banned as a language of first-grade instruction at the remaining Georgian schools in the Gali district, gradually resulting in the total ban of native-language education in the Abkhazia region. Teachers are subject to immense pressure, with frequent raids at schools and kindergartens, with the aim of uncovering evidence of the use of the Georgian language, followed by frequent repercussions. Since September 2017, education in their native language has been banned in Georgian schools in the Tskhinvali region as well.”
2019-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8591 (2019) · source
“As a party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict, as well as the 1949 Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols of 1977, Georgia is committed to upholding the norms for the prohibition of recruitment and use of child soldiers. In that connection, let me also mention that we recently endorsed the Vancouver Principles on Peacekeeping and the Prevention of the Recruitment and Use of Child Soldiers. While the Government of Georgia spares no effort to protect children, their fundamental rights in Georgia's occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali/South Ossetia continue to be violated by the occupying Power. The prohibition of educating ethnic Georgians in both regions in their native language remains a matter of the greatest concern.”
2019-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8591 (2019) · source
“Children and young people are exposed to even greater risk of abuse when educational facilities become the targets of attack during conflicts. That is in addition to being deprived of their right to education and thus of the realization of their hopes for the future. In that context, let me underline the importance of the Safe Schools Declaration, which is a significant instrument for taking concrete actions towards safe schools for all and thereby strengthening, in practice, the protection of children and youth in armed conflict. When it comes to the prevention of forced recruitment and the use of children as soldiers, strengthening adherence to the relevant international legal instruments is of key importance.”
2019-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8591 (2019) · source
“Children are the most vulnerable group and make up the highest percentage of casualties of war, which last year reached a staggering, record number of over 12,000. The Secretary General's latest report on children and armed conflict (S/2019/509), which takes note of those figures, is absolutely appalling. While we deplore those grave violations in the strongest terms, it is also apparent that we, as Member States, need to redouble our engagement and do much more to support and strengthen child protection mechanisms. In that sense, we welcome the steps outlined in the report to improve the situation of conflict-affected children globally, and appreciate the significant efforts of United Nations agencies and partners, including child protection actors working on the ground.”
2019-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8591 (2019) · source
“Let me first join my colleagues in congratulating Poland on assuming the presidency of the Council for this month. I thank the Polish presidency for convening this timely debate. I also want to thank all the briefers. Their briefings were heart-breaking and some of the stories were not easy to listen to, but we thank them. That information is very much needed and appreciated. My country, Georgia, aligns itselfwith the statement delivered by the observer of the European Union. Let me add the following remarks in my national capacity. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the landmark resolution 1882 (2009), but regrettably, 10 years later, boys and girls around the world continue to live with the horrors of grave violations of their rights 4 killing and maiming, recruitment and exploitation, rape and other forms of sexual violence.”
2019-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8591 (2019) · source
“We reiterate our full support to the Secretary- General in his endeavour to mobilize the United Nations and its Member States to strengthen the protection of human rights of civilian populations in armed conflicts. We also call for the implementation of his recommendations to this end. Georgia stands ready to contribute to these efforts.”
2019-05-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8534 (2019) · source
“Taking into account the effective control of the Russian Federation over the two Georgian regions, it is particularly necessary that international organizations be firm and vocal on Russia's responsibility in terms of both human rights violations and of the denial of access to international human rights mechanisms on the ground. Last but not least, over 10 per cent of Georgia's population who have been expelled from the occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali as a result of ethnic cleansing continue to be deprived of their fundamental right to return to their homes in safety and dignity. They require firm and lasting international support to exercise their rights.”
2019-05-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8534 (2019) · source
“Following Russia's full-scale military aggression in August 2008, we have been continuously prevented from extending protection to the population residing in Georgia's occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali, which are deprived of minimal safeguards for their safety and are stripped of their fundamental rights and freedoms. The loss of life among Georgian internally displaced persons (IDPs) on the other side of the occupation line is one of the most alarming developments in recent years and, unfortunately, this year is no exception. Recently, a Georgian IDP named Irakli Kvaratskhelia died in custody at the illegally stationed Russian military base in the occupied Abkhazia region after having been unlawfully detained.”
2019-05-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8534 (2019) · source
“Among the Commission's main priorities is the implementation of international humanitarian law programmes and educational activities, in cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Most of the educational training programmes provided to Georgian military personnel incorporate special courses on international humanitarian law, including the key aspects of strengthening the protection of civilians during armed conflict. Importantly, the ICRC provides assistance to Georgia in locating the whereabouts of missing persons, as well as in identifying and handing over human remains to their families. Since 2013, with the help of the Committee, the human remains of nearly 200 people have been identified and handed over to their families.”
2019-05-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8534 (2019) · source
“Georgia therefore fully cooperates with the International Criminal Court (ICC) and facilitated the opening of the ICC office in Georgia in order to conduct investigations into the crimes committed during the 2008 Russia-Georgia war. However, the non-cooperation and refusal to allow access to the occupied regions by the occupying Power further hinders progress to address the question of impunity. The four 1949 Geneva Conventions are part of Georgian legislation. Georgia's Inter-Agency Commission of International Humanitarian Law - a standing governmental body - leads efforts and coordinates the work of relevant entities aimed at ensuring respect for international humanitarian law.”
2019-05-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8534 (2019) · source
“While we recognize the action taken by the United Nations over the past 20 years, we believe that more remains to be done to strengthen the protection of civilians in armed conflicts, in line with the recommendations provided in the latest report of the Secretary-General (S/2019/373). Allow me to briefly outline our national efforts. First, let me highlight the recent decision of the Government of Georgia to endorse the French-led declaration on the protection of humanitarian and medical personnel in armed conflict. This is particularly important in view of the more than 700 attacks against medical facilities and workers that took place in 2018, as recorded by the World Health Organization. Our Government attaches utmost importance to ensuring accountability, particularly when it comes to war crimes.”
2019-05-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8534 (2019) · source
“At the outset, let me express our sincere gratitude to the Indonesian presidency for convening today's open debate. Georgia aligns itself with the statement to be delivered by the observer of the European Union. Let me add a few remarks in my national capacity. This year marks the twentieth anniversary of the Security Council's first open debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict (see S/PV.4046) and adopted the landmark resolution 1265 (1999). Yet, 20 years later, civilian populations continue to fall victim to the devastating impact of armed conflicts, which include attacks on humanitarian and medical personnel and the destruction of civilian infrastructure, hospitals and schools, as well as sexual and gender-based violence. Especially vulnerable are women, children, refugees and internally displaced persons.”
2019-05-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8534 (2019) · source
“It is crucial to safeguard the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanisms and return without further delay to the usual work setting, in full respect of the founding principles and ground rules. Lastly, given the close interlinkages and mutually reinforcing nature of security, development and human rights, strengthening engagement on prevention between the Human Rights Council and the wider United Nations system is of vital importance. In that context, we regard cooperation under agenda item 10 of the Human Rights Council, on technical assistance and capacity-building, as an extremely practical and efficient tool for preventive purposes.”
2018-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8414 (2018) · source
“The United Nations, the European Union and the OSCE are complementing each other as the three co-Chairs of the Geneva International Discussions - the format launched as a result and to implement the 12 August 2008 ceasefire agreement between Russia and Georgia. The Geneva International Discussions is a valuable instrument to address security and humanitarian needs on the ground but, like the EUMM, the full potential of the Geneva International Discussions is yet to be unlocked. Progress on key issues remains elusive due to the lack of political will on the part of Russian Federation, while the work of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanisms, under the umbrella of the Geneva International Discussions, is becoming unduly politicized and hampered.”
2018-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8414 (2018) · source
“Both the United Nations and the OSCE deployed their missions in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region - the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia and the OSCE Mission to Georgia, respectively - and their work was vital on the ground. Ironically, both were discontinued by a permanent member of the Security Council, which cast a veto in a similar manner, thereby creating a vacuum of international presence. Luckily, the European Union stepped in and the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) was dispatched to monitor the situation on the ground. While the importance of the presence of the EUMM cannot be underestimated, unfortunately it is yet unable to fulfil its mandate, since the Russian Federation, as the occupying Power, is blocking access to the occupied regions.”
2018-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8414 (2018) · source
“With respect to our region, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has at its disposal a useful toolbox for preventive and early- warning purposes, including its mechanisms, such as the High Commissioner on National Minorities and the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. The Council ofEurope also has an important instrument at its disposal - the Commissioner for Human Rights. I can speak from country's own experience. For almost two decades, Georgia has enjoyed very fruitful engagement and cooperation with the United Nations and the OSCE. They both have done invaluable work in terms of conflict prevention and resolution in the now occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions of Georgia.”
2018-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8414 (2018) · source
“Allow me to express my sincere gratitude to cote d'Ivoire for its presidency and for convening today's debate. Georgia aligns itself with the statement delivered earlier today by the observer of the European Union. I would like to make a few remarks in my national capacity. Today's topic allows us to brainstorm on how to make the best use of Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations, which addresses regional arrangements. Indeed, regional organizations naturally have a deeper expertise and understanding of regional security matters.”
2018-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8414 (2018) · source
“Being party to the conflict, using its veto power to block the extension of the UNOMIG mandate came in direct contradiction with Chapter V, Article 27 of the Charter of the United Nations. Paragraph 3 clearly stipulates that "a party to a dispute shall abstain from voting". Misuse of the veto power has resulted in tragic consequences in other parts of the world as well, with a record high numbers of vetoes cast in the past two years. Therefore, we consider it crucial to reform the Security Council 4 and the United Nations in general 4 to increase effectiveness in addressing global challenges, be they conflicts, humanitarian and economic crises, forced displacement or climate change. That will enable us to achieve cohesion, inclusivity and the development of societies, with respect for international law and the rules-based order at heart.”
2018-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8395 (2018) · source
“- unique negotiation formats to address and resolve security and humanitarian issues experienced by the people affected by the unresolved conflict between Georgia and Russia. The formats have been essential in preventing the large-scale escalation of conflict in the light of increased provocations on the ground. I would like to recall that the Security Council was actively engaged with Georgia from 1993 to 2009, until the brazen use of the veto power by Russia blocked the prolongation of the mandate of the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG). By vetoing its extension when it was needed most 4 shortly after the August 2008 war - a dangerous precedent in the history of United Nations peacekeeping was created.”
2018-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8395 (2018) · source