YouSaid · the spoken record

Kaha Imnadze

lines on the record: 82
first: 2020-04-27
most recent: 2021-12-09
sittings or episodes: 11
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

“The grave security, human rights and humanitarian situation there creates a fertile ground for all sorts of illicit activities, including activities related to terrorism, and poses a serious threat to regional and international peace and security. In conclusion, let me stress that Georgia stands ready to do our utmost towards reducing the implications of the climate crisis for international peace and security, and in the fight against terrorism.”
2021-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/1026 (2021) · source
“Furthermore, Georgia remains committed to enhancing cooperation with the United Nations, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the European Union, the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and other regional international organizations, including by being actively engaged in cooperation dialogue with them and sharing experiences and best practices, as well as carrying out joint projects, training and measures in the fight against terrorism. While speaking about the security environment in my country in terms of terrorism, let me draw your special attention to the situation in the Russia -occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions of Georgia. These regions are beyond the Georgian Government’s effective control, and remain outside national and international monitoring.”
2021-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/1026 (2021) · source
“Georgia has been actively involved in international efforts and will continue to pursue the fight against terrorism in all its manifestations, alongside the international community. Georgia has been an active member of the Global Coalition against Daesh from the very beginning and has been significantly contributing to the maintenance of international peace and security through its participation in multinational operations. Georgia has a sound legal framework for international cooperation and has mechanisms in place to conduct it. Georgia is a party to the 14 United Nations anti-terrorism conventions and continues further enhancing the international legal framework in the areas of law enforcement and security.”
2021-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/1026 (2021) · source
“While the impact of terrorism in Georgia remains to be assessed as very low, considering the global security landscape, terrorism-related challenges still exist, as no country is immune from this serious threat to international peace and security. Therefore, the Government of Georgia has been actively working to detect the continuously transforming landscape of terrorism and to develop efficient, coherent and coordinated ways of responding to it. At the national level, the Government of Georgia continues to take effective and comprehensive counter-terrorism measures, including upgrading the legislative framework, carrying out law enforcement measures and being active in domestic and international coordination and cooperation, as well as prevention-oriented various projects and programmes with the aim of reducing the threat.”
2021-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/1026 (2021) · source
“In this regard, Georgia, as a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement has been committed to making its own contribution to international efforts in combating climate change by prioritizing Goal 13 on climate action at the national level, submitting its updated nationally determined contributions to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and joining a number of major international initiatives announced at the twenty-sixth Conference of the Parties (COP26) held in Glasgow, such as the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use, the Global Methane Pledge, the High Ambition Coalition COP26 Leaders’ Statement and the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate.”
2021-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/1026 (2021) · source
“Bearing in mind the nexus between climate and security, we welcome the increased focus of the Council on the climate change issues, and believe that assessment of climate-related security risks and responses to them should be further fed into the Council’s work, including as a part of United Nations peacekeeping and peacebuilding activities. Climate change poses a serious challenge to Georgia as well. We fully share the alarm presented by the Secretary-General’s report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that declared a “code red for humanity”. We believe that the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement are the major international mechanisms to guide the global efforts in addressing climate change.”
2021-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/1026 (2021) · source
“At the outset, let me thank Niger for the timely initiative of bringing this important subject to the forefront of the agenda of the Security Council. It is evident that the world is facing a growing threat from climate change that undermines international peace and security at large. Unfortunately, climate change hits countries in fragile or conflict-affected situations the hardest, leading to competition over scarce natural resources, displacements and undermined societal cohesion. On the other hand, exacerbated social vulnerabilities lead to radicalization and create fertile ground that terrorist and extremist groups can exploit. These are two key global security concerns of our time, which require constant attention from the side of the international community.”
2021-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/1026 (2021) · source
“Moreover, Russia does not allow any international presence in the Russian-occupied territories of Georgia to monitor and prevent those severe human rights violations in the regions and territories adjacent to the occupation line, which clearly runs counter to Georgia’s reconciliation and peacebuilding efforts. We strongly believe that only by upholding the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and through respect for international law, as well as a firm and principled stance by the international community, can we deliver on our pledge to maintain peace and security and pave the way for the protection of human rights and sustainable development. Georgia therefore once again reaffirms its strong commitment to multilateralism and the rules-based order.”
2021-12-01 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/935 (2021) · source
“The strategy will include two pillars of our peace policy, namely, the de-occupation of Georgia’s territories by Russia and reconciliation and engagement between the divided communities across the occupation line. Regrettably, we see quite the opposite from the actions of the Russian Federation — the occupying Power — including the installation of physical barriers along the occupation line, restriction of the freedom of movement, kidnappings, arbitrary detentions, deprivation of life, torture and ill-treatment, ethnic discrimination and a ban on education in the native language, among other things.”
2021-12-01 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/935 (2021) · source
“Those initiatives cover various areas that include, but are not limited to, trade, education and business, with the ultimate goal of facilitating contacts between the divided communities, ease the exchange of goods, provide access to quality education and share the progress that Georgia has achieved with the people living on the other side of the occupation line. In addition, the Government of Georgia recently launched an inclusive whole-of-nation development process with its State strategy for de-occupation and peaceful conflict resolution, which will engage civil society, grass-roots level non- governmental organizations, internally displaced persons and conflict-affected women, as well as international partners.”
2021-12-01 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/935 (2021) · source
“My country has long been committed to peaceful conflict resolution with regard to the protracted Russia-Georgia conflict, which relies upon the de-occupation of Georgia’s territories and reconciliation and confidence-building between the war-torn communities. Despite Russia’s unconstructive behaviour in the overall process, Georgia spares no effort to promote confidence-building measures and its engagement policy, which is aimed at reconciliation and peaceful conflict resolution. The Government of Georgia has undertaken bold steps, such as the introduction of a peace initiative entitled “A Step to a Better Future” in 2018, which is supplemented by another initiative entitled “Produce for a Better Future”.”
2021-12-01 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/935 (2021) · source
“In that regard, effective and sustainable conflict resolution and peacebuilding requires that root causes such as marginalization and inequality, human rights violations, poverty and economic disadvantages, among many others — which are the main drivers of conflicts — be addressed, as well as that peacebuilding processes be made more inclusive. Moreover, it has become clear that factors such as climate change and the coronavirus disease pandemic further exacerbate the overall situation. Georgia welcomes the efforts of the international community to build new political consensus in favour of maintaining peace and security by preventing conflicts before they occur, in line with the concept of sustaining peace, which underlines the imperative of addressing all stages of the conflict cycle.”
2021-12-01 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/935 (2021) · source
“We thank the presidency of Mexico for convening today’s high-level open debate and for bringing this important subject to the Security Council’s agenda. We see that conflicts worldwide are not decreasing; rather, their number is on the rise, and they are becoming increasingly intense and protracted. Although the number of deaths resulting from conflicts has been declining over time, we see that more countries are affected by violence and conflicts today than ever before, with the increased involvement of non-State actors, which could be a sign of the presence of new driving factors of conflicts. This situation is prompting the international community to take action and find ways to address conflicts more effectively.”
2021-12-01 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/935 (2021) · source
“In conclusion, let me reaffirm Georgia’s commitment both to implementing the women and peace and security agenda at the national level and to efforts to promote its implementation globally.”
2021-10-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/886 (2021) · source
“The grave security, humanitarian and human rights situation in the occupied territories, which is further exacerbated by the coronavirus disease, severely affects the local population, including girls and women. Continuous ethnic discrimination, banning education in the native language, restrictions on freedom of movement and limited access to health care are among the challenges that women and girls face in the occupied territories. Moreover, hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons and refugees, including girls and women, are still deprived of their fundamental right to the safe and dignified return to their homes despite numerous Security Council and General Assembly resolutions recognizing their fundamental right to return.”
2021-10-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/886 (2021) · source
“There is a regular dialogue among the Georgian team to the Geneva international discussions, conflict-affected women and women’s rights civil society organizations. Moreover, with the support of UN-Women, a pilot course on inclusive peace processes with a focus on women’s meaningful participation was launched at the Georgian Foreign Ministry’s Training Centre for officials involved in peaceful conflict resolution processes. We are determined to conduct this course on a regular basis. Regrettably, despite Georgia’s efforts to empower conflict-affected women, Russia’s ongoing occupation of the two Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali compromises our peace initiatives and impedes the extension of the human rights protection framework to the women residing on the other side of the illegally erected razor-wire fences.”
2021-10-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/886 (2021) · source
“The new — fourth — action plan on women and peace and security for the period 2022-2024 is also being developed. In its process to implement the national action plan on women and peace and security by promoting women’s participation, protection and violence prevention, the Georgian Defence Ministry has been designated as one of the leading agencies. In 2020, the Ministry developed a new gender equality strategy, as well as establishing a gender equality monitoring group and gender advisers. The Government of Georgia also promotes the women and peace and security agenda in the process of peaceful conflict resolution. A number of initiatives were implemented to uphold inclusive and gender-sensitive peace processes, facilitate women’s engagement and ensure inclusion of the needs of conflict-affected women in negotiation processes.”
2021-10-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/886 (2021) · source
“Despite some achievements, the most recent Secretary-General’s report (S/2021/827) points out persisting gaps in women’s participation in political leadership, decision-making and peace processes, which, inter alia, indicate the need to accelerate efforts by Member States at the national level. With that in mind, I would like to share some of Georgia’s latest activities with regard to the women and peace and security agenda. Georgia attaches importance to the implementation of the Security Council resolutions concerning the women and peace and security agenda. Under Georgia’s new human rights strategy for 2021-2030, the implementation of the women and peace and security agenda is given priority, and specific objectives are set to fulfil the pledges that the Government undertook in April 2019.”
2021-10-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/886 (2021) · source
“At the outset, I would like to express appreciation to the presidency of the Republic of Kenya for convening this important high-level open debate. A year ago, in his report on women and peace and security (S/2020/946), the Secretary-General proposed goals for this decade. Among other things, the report calls for a radical shift and tangible results in women’s meaningful participation in peacemaking, peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts. Let me also recall that just a month ago the Security Council unanimously adopted the first-ever stand-alone resolution on United Nations peacekeeping mission transitions, co-sponsored by Georgia, which includes engagement with the local community and civil society, “with the full, equal and meaningful participation of women” (resolution 2594 (2021), fifth preambular paragraph).”
2021-10-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/886 (2021) · source
“Meanwhile, in this process, the strong stance and results-oriented engagement of the international community is essential to defend the core principles and values that unite the United Nations family and give a proper response to severe violations of the fundamental norms and principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations. We believe that such mutual efforts will result in better progress towards sustainable and lasting peacebuilding in our region.”
2021-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/868 (2021) · source
“In this light, the peace initiative entitled “A step to a better future” is a vivid example of our determination, which aims at improving the humanitarian and socioeconomic conditions of people living in these regions and promoting people-to-people contact, interaction and confidence-building between the divided societies. In order to ensure more effectiveness in our efforts, the Government of Georgia launched the process of developing an inclusive and comprehensive State strategy for de-occupation and sustainable peaceful conflict resolution, which includes promoting reconciliation, confidence-building and engagement between the divided communities across the occupation line. We believe that this process will assist in finding ways and creating grounds for lasting peace and security.”
2021-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/868 (2021) · source
“Georgia remains in full compliance with the European Union-mediated ceasefire agreement of 12 August 2008 and adheres to the non-use of force principle, having reaffirmed this commitment numerous times at the executive as well as legislati ve levels, still awaiting reciprocity from the Russian side. Georgia is trying to fully utilize the formats of peace negotiations and engages constructively and proactively in the Geneva International Discussions to reach tangible results for the lasting p eace, security and human rights protection of the conflict-affected population. At the same time, Georgia is fostering the reconciliation and engagement policy with the people living in the occupied regions of Georgia.”
2021-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/868 (2021) · source
“The International Court of Justice found Russia responsible for the violation of human rights on the ground, including for ethnic cleansing as well as for hindering the return of internally displaced persons to their homes. Determined to resolve conflict peacefully, Georgia is using all diplomatic, political and legal instruments at its disposal and is firmly pursuing the comprehensive peaceful conflict resolution policy that relies upon the tasks of (a) the de-occupation of the two Georgian regions; and (b) reconciliation and engagement between the war-torn communities.”
2021-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/868 (2021) · source
“In these critical circumstances, we often see the destructive steps undermining the existing negotiation formats – the Geneva International Discussions and Incident Prevention and Response Mechanisms – through disrupting the substantive discussions and walking out of the negotiations when it comes to the issue of internally displaced persons and refugees. Despite Russia’s attempts to avoid the responsibility and create a narrative of so-called “new realities”, the European Court of Human Rights recently (21 January 2021) delivered a judgment legally establishing the fact that Russia is occupying and exercising effective control over the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia.”
2021-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/868 (2021) · source
“People residing in the occupied Georgian regions have to endure unbearable pressure, in some cases forcing them to leave their homes and join hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons and refugees already expelled from these regions as a result of several waves of ethnic cleansing. The human rights and humanitarian situation is particularly dire, given the fact that no international presence, including human rights mechanisms, is allowed in the occupied territories. Meanwhile, the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic further deteriorates the humanitarian conditions of the conflict-affected people.”
2021-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/868 (2021) · source
“On a regular basis, we witness unlawful and provocative actions from the side of Russia, including intensified efforts towards the de facto annexation of the occupied territories; reinforced illegal militarization; active so-called borderization (erection of razor-wire fences and other artificial barriers along the occupation line); the closure of s o-called crossing points; the violation of human rights, including but not limited to torture and the deprivation of lives on the basis of ethnicity; kidnappings and illegal detentions; the restriction of freedom of movement and increasing isolation from the rest of Georgia; and ethnic discrimination and intensive Russification accompanied by the prohibition of education in the native Georgian language.”
2021-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/868 (2021) · source
“In this statement, I would like to summarize the current challenges in the occupied Georgian territories and briefly outline measures taken by Georgia to promote the peaceful settlement of the Russia-Georgia conflict. The core of the problem is Russia’s illegal occupation of the territories of Georgia – Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia.”
2021-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/868 (2021) · source
“I congratulate the Republic of Kenya on taking over the presidency of the Security Council, and thank the President for bringing the important subject of peacebuilding to the forefront of the Council agenda. Over the years, the United Nations has taken important measures to promote sustainable peacebuilding worldwide, and these efforts have already yielded notable progress. However, much work still lies ahead, as many conflict- and war-torn communities and regions are susceptible to renewed wars and conflicts. Successful and sustainable peacebuilding requires resolute collaborative measures by affected countries and the international community.”
2021-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/868 (2021) · source
“Let me conclude my remarks by once again calling on the international community to urge the Russian Federation to immediately ensure the complete and unconditional elimination of any impediments to the effective delivery and access of emergency humanitarian assistance to the civilians living in the occupied regions of Georgia and to start fulfilling its international obligations, first and foremost the European Union-mediated 12 August 2008 ceasefire agreement.”
2020-08-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/799 (2020) · source
“On top of that, the Russian Federation has amplified its hybrid-warfare tools and disinformation campaign, attacking one of the laboratories of Georgia’s National Centre for Disease Control and Public Health, the Richard Lugar Center and even the European Union Monitoring Mission, the only international mechanism on the ground mandated to facilitate peace and security throughout the whole territory of Georgia. Notwithstanding the aforementioned harsh reality, Georgia remains committed to doing its utmost to ensure humanitarian relief for those conflict-affected people, who have been carrying the heavy burden of the grave consequences of Russia’s illegal occupation in the time of the pandemic.”
2020-08-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/799 (2020) · source
“Intensified military exercises and a military build-up, the continued fortification of the occupation line by erecting barbed-wire fences and other artificial barriers, the illegal practice of arbitrary detentions and kidnappings of conflict-affected people, and the denial of humanitarian access to both the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia have further aggravated the security, human rights and humanitarian situation on the ground. To make matters worse, the process of intensified ethnic discrimination and grave human rights abuses, coupled with lengthy closures of so-called crossing points, have compounded the already fragile situation in the occupied regions, ending in the deaths of 15 people who were denied the possibility of an urgent medical evacuation.”
2020-08-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/799 (2020) · source
“Amid its efforts to fight the spread of coronavirus in the country, Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity have been targeted by one of the permanent members of the Security Council. In blatant violation of its international obligations and commitments, as well as in contravention of the Secretary-General’s appeal for a global ceasefire, the Russian Federation has heightened the scale of its provocations directed against Georgia.”
2020-08-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/799 (2020) · source
“The negative consequences of the pandemic have had a disproportionate impact on conflict-affected women and girls, children, forcibly displaced populations, older persons and persons with disabilities. In addition, the direct effects of the pandemic have been reflected in the disruptions caused to United Nations peacekeeping operations, special political missions and the Peacebuilding Commission. It is equally important to ensure that the COVID-19 pandemic does not distract us from our efforts to address the aforementioned root causes. Failure in that respect could cause irreparable damage to international peace and security. While, regrettably, there are many examples illustrating such a scenario in today’s world, I wish to focus on the one that my country is experiencing these days.”
2020-08-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/799 (2020) · source
“Let me begin by thanking the Indonesian presidency for having organized today’s open debate. Georgia aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the European Union (annex 29). Let me add a few remarks in my national capacity. The unprecedented health crisis caused by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic poses a formidable challenge to the United Nations peacebuilding and sustaining peace agenda. It has already left a lasting imprint on all three pillars of the United Nations, including by exacerbating the underlying root causes of armed conflicts, placing limitations on existing peacebuilding action and putting additional pressure on already fragile security, political, socioeconomic and humanitarian environments.”
2020-08-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/799 (2020) · source
“The main purpose of the Council is to ensure the efficient implementation of the UNFCCC, the Kyoto Protocol thereto and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. In conclusion, let me reaffirm Georgia’s commitment to multilateral efforts to address the impact of climate-related disasters on international peace and security and to our shared endeavour of mitigating the impact of climate change.”
2020-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/751 (2020) · source
“We are also convinced that the Sustainable Development Goals — among which addressing climate change is embedded in Goal 13 — and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change are the mutually reinforcing multilateral instruments for preventing impending cataclysm. With this in mind, we have prioritized Goal 13 at the national level and updated our nationally determined contribution under the Paris Agreement, aimed at reducing national emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change. In addition, on 16 June, Georgia deposited an instrument of acceptance of the Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol. Lastly, to further reinforce our commitment, on 23 January, the Government established the Climate Change Council.”
2020-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/751 (2020) · source
“We believe that addressing security impacts of climate change should be on the Security Council’s conflict-prevention agenda. In this context, we appreciate the progress made by the Council in recent years towards greater recognition of the adverse effects of climate change on the stability and security of regions, which has been reflected in a number of thematic and country-specific resolutions. To play its part in this shared endeavour, Georgia is fully committed to the objectives of the UNFCCC and aligns itself with the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that the warming of the global climate system is unequivocal and the risks of dangerous climate change impacts will rise sharply if planetary warming exceeds 2°C from pre-industrial levels.”
2020-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/751 (2020) · source
“It can aggravate already-fragile situations, including through heightening competition for scarce resources, such as land and water, depriving populations of their livelihoods and inducing forced displacement. But the worst is yet to come, especially if we take a close look at the science. According to the latest report of the World Meteorological Organization, we are witnessing record global sea levels, coupled with the highest atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases and the hottest decade on record. These are existential challenges that can be addressed only through joint and resolute action, including by implementing our commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”
2020-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/751 (2020) · source
“I would like to begin by thanking Germany and all the other co-organizers of today’s high-level event for taking up the important issue of climate and security and putting it high on the Security Council’s agenda. Georgia aligns itself with the statement to be submitted on behalf of the European Union (see annex 18). Let me add a few remarks in my national capacity. Climate change-related security risks have already become an everyday reality for millions of people around the world. There is growing evidence that climate change is a risk multiplier with the potential to threaten sustainable development and exacerbate conflict and instability.”
2020-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/751 (2020) · source
“The protracted illegal occupation of these two regions by the Russian Federation continues to deprive local residents of some of their basic human rights, with restrictions on freedom of movement, deprivation of property rights and prohibition of education in their native language. Finally, let me reiterate our unwavering commitment to contributing to the promotion of the women and peace and security agenda and to the global endeavour to eradicate conflict-related sexual violence.”
2020-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/727 (2020) · source
“Accordingly, the State Care Agency, operating under the auspices of the Ministry of Health, provides protection, assistance and rehabilitation of the victims of human rights violations, including domestic violence, violence against women and sexual abuse. At the international level, Georgia, together with Canada, Sweden, Uruguay and Fiji, has been active in the United Nations Human Rights Council in leading a new initiative: a resolution on accountability for ensuring women’s and girls’ full enjoyment of human rights in humanitarian settings, which is planned to be presented to the Council in the near future. Notwithstanding the aforementioned efforts, my Government continues to be unable to extend protection to conflict-affected women residing in the occupied regions of Georgia, namely, Abkhazia and Tskhinvali.”
2020-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/727 (2020) · source
“The Ministry of Defence has further improved its legislative base to ensure accountability for sexual harassment by military service personnel. In 2018, for the first time, the notion of sexual harassment and sanctions for perpetrators thereof have been introduced in the defence system. Since 2014, training on gender perspectives has constituted an integral part of predeployment preparation of peacekeepers, with 6,000 military service personnel, both men and women, having been trained up to now. Gender and domestic violence issues are also subject to post- traumatic-stress-disorder sessions at the post-deployment stage. Fighting sexual violence requires placing the needs and priorities of victims of sexual violence at the heart of our response strategy.”
2020-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/727 (2020) · source
“Through our national action plans, we have been promoting gender equality in all aspects of public life, including by integrating gender perspectives in the security sector and decision-making processes, increasing participation of women in the Geneva International Discussions and in the mechanisms for preventing and responding to incidents of sexual violence. Another key aspect is promoting gender equality in the military. The Georgian Ministry of Defence’s gender-equality strategy establishes the conditions required to guarantee equal rights, freedoms and opportunities for men and women, prevent and eradicate all forms of discrimination, counter any kind of gender violence and eliminate the misconduct, sexual harassment and physical and psychological mistreatment.”
2020-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/727 (2020) · source
“Embracing a survivor- centred approach should become another pivotal aspect in our response to conflict- related sexual violence, including through ensuring better access for victims to justice, and medical services. Finally, without addressing such structural root causes of sexual violence as gender inequality, it is impossible to build a society where human rights are universally respected. Committed to the full and effective implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action, the Government of Georgia pays heightened attention to the implementation of the Security Council resolutions on women and peace and security.”
2020-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/727 (2020) · source
“In addition, by adopting resolution 2467 (2019) last year, spearheaded by Germany, the international community took a significant step forward in strengthening justice and embracing a survivor-centred approach. Yet despite the significant advancements in the normative domain, implementation is lagging. According to the findings of the latest report of the Secretary-General (S/2020/487), sexual violence continues to be used as a cruel tactic of war to dehumanize, instil fear, forcibly displace people and impede prospects of sustaining peace and reconciliation. The coronavirus disease has further compounded challenges faced by the survivors of the sexual violence. Ensuring accountability for perpetrators and justice for survivors is key to prevention and deterrence of future violence of this nature.”
2020-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/727 (2020) · source
“I extend my heartfelt thanks to Germany and the Dominican Republic for convening today’s open debate. Georgia aligns itself with the statement of the European Union (see annex 25). Let me make a few remarks in my national capacity. Conflict-related sexual violence constitutes a grave human rights violation and serious threat to international peace and security. The adoption of the landmark resolution 1325 (2000) 20 years ago was an important milestone in this regard. Resolution 1820 (2008), which recognized conflict-related sexual violence as a threat to international peace and security, and resolution 1888 (2009), which established the mandate of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, served as major breakthroughs in the fight against this heinous crime.”
2020-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/727 (2020) · source
“In concluding my remarks, I would like to call on the international community to urge all parties involved in armed conflicts or exercising effective control in conflict areas immediately to ensure the complete and unconditional elimination of any impediments to the effective delivery of and access for emergency humanitarian assistance to civilians living in the conflict-affected areas, first and foremost in the occupied regions of Georgia. For its part, Georgia reaffirms its strong commitment to the principles embodied in the Charter of the United Nations and stands ready to contribute to the collective endeavour of strengthening rules-based multilateral cooperation in the fight against the pandemic and its negative effects. We urge the Security Council to consider the issue of global health security in greater detail.”
2020-07-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/663 (2020) · source
“To make matters worse, due to the irresponsible and inhumane approach of closing the so-called crossing points along the Russian occupation line, the population residing in the occupied regions — including children, older people, the chronically ill and the immunologically compromised— remain stripped of access to urgent care and medical evacuation. Thus, as a result of the denial by the Russian occupying regime of medical evacuation to those in need, the death toll of ethnic Georgians has risen to 14 since the closure of the occupation line of Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia in September 2019.”
2020-07-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/663 (2020) · source
“We stress that such disinformation campaign by the Russian side represents an open attack on the health protection of the population and the national security of Georgia. More than that, neither the pandemic nor the call of the Secretary-General for an immediate global ceasefire have prevented the Russian occupying regime from continuing the illegal processes of installing barbed-wire fences and so- called border signs or digging so-called anti-fire trenches along the occupation line in both occupied Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali/South Ossetia. In a recent instance, such illegal activities were going on simultaneously in up to 14 villages in the vicinity of the Russian-occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali/South Ossetia.”
2020-07-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/663 (2020) · source
“To be specific, the Russian Federation has deliberately intensified its use of hybrid warfare tools against Georgia and, with fabricated propaganda myths, constantly attacked one of the laboratories of Georgia’s National Centre for Disease Control and Public Health, the Richard Lugar Centre, which plays a crucial role in the fight against the spread of COVID-19 in Georgia. At first glance, the absurd claims by Russia that the Georgian Government has artificially spread COVID-19 in the occupied Tskhinvali region and collected biological samples from the residents of the region actually serve to undermine the trust of the local population in the Government of Georgia, which is yet another goal of creating managed chaos on the ground.”
2020-07-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/663 (2020) · source