EU representatives expressed on Thursday 2 July, during the 13th round of the annual EU-Georgia human rights dialogue, their concerns about the deteriorating human rights situation in the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia (see EUROPE 12294/12).
In a statement, the European External Action Service cited, inter alia, ethnic discrimination; restrictions on freedom of movement, including for health care and access to other social services; arbitrary detentions; violation of property rights and of education in the mother tongue; and persistent obstacles to the safe and dignified return of internally displaced persons and refugees to their homes.
The Union also underlined its “deep concern” about the complete closure of the administrative boundary line in the South Ossetian region since September 2019.
The need for unhindered access to international organisations and the EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM) was also highlighted by the European and Georgian representatives.
They also reaffirmed Russia’s obligations regarding the implementation of the ceasefire agreement of 12 August 2008 and stressed the need to achieve tangible results in the international discussions in Geneva in order to resolve the security and human rights problems of those affected by the conflict. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)