On this day, 3 years ago, Russia’s war against Ukraine started and still continues to entail enormous human suffering and grave violations of international law. Such a statement the Georgian Minister of Foreign Affairs made at the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

“Before addressing current affairs, allow me to recall another date, the 25th of February, marking the day of the Soviet occupation of Georgia in 1921, which halted our democratic development for seven decades.

More than 30 years have passed since Georgia regained its independence. Albeit its past is still paved with the fight for sovereignty and territorial integrity. Our recent history, time and again, illustrates the crucial importance of peace and stability for further development.

Excellencies, this council is well aware of the security and humanitarian challenges that Georgia faces in the wake of the continued occupation of two Georgian regions, Abkhazia and Tskhinvali by the Russian Federation.

Ethnic cleansing, the brutal violations of fundamental human rights, torture and murder. Hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons are undivided attributes of illegal occupation, which in turn causes division and separation of society, leaving people in the most severe humanitarian conditions.

Russia still refuses to fulfil its international obligations, notwithstanding the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights and International Criminal Court, confirming its responsibility for the occupation and ongoing violation of human rights in both Georgian regions. Against the background of occupation and depriving internally displaced persons and refugees of their right to return home.

Georgia’s annual HRC resolution on cooperation with Georgia continues to address the dire human rights situation on the ground and repeatedly demands unimpeded and immediate access to international human rights monitoring mechanisms in both occupied regions. Stemming from the above said, Georgia will re-table the resolution again in September and we count on your continuous support.

The right to participate in public affairs is an essential element of democratic governance. 2024 marked a record-breaking electoral year globally, with voters from more than 60 countries casting their ballots. On October 26 last year, numerous international and local observers had an opportunity to witness two million Georgian citizens’ free political choice.

Georgia is fully committed to continuing close cooperation with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and to actively engaging with UN human rights mechanisms.

Yet speculations around the parliamentary elections in Georgia still continue while there is no ground for that. The utilization of manipulations aimed at creating an artificial crisis and destabilization of the country must be halted and the results of the democratic choice of people must be respected.

Dear colleagues, I believe that our efforts for achieving lasting peace, ensuring the rule of law, and economic development can guarantee the greater protection of human rights. Let me bring to your attention just one example. Overall reform efforts in the justice sector in Georgia since 2012 translated into the declining trend in applications against Georgia in the European Court of Human Rights.

3,045 cases filed against Georgia in 2011 compared to 175 applications under consideration by the court as of July 2024 marks a remarkable decrease as one of the lowest figures in Georgian history as a member of the Council of Europe. For the past 10 years, Georgia developed a positive track record of implementation of court judgments. 86 cases out of 104 have been closed since 2013.

In the last few years, Georgia has achieved remarkable economic growth and progress in establishing inclusive access to the economy. We strongly believe that the development of urgent social programs services is crucial in protecting the vulnerable groups as regards creating workplaces, employment and decreasing social exclusions.

Ladies and gentlemen, Georgia is a tank committee to the notion of effective implementation of the council’s mandate and places its part in promoting, among others, the rights of women and girls, children and persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons, and conflict-affected people in the line with our HRC pledges.

Here let me underscore the new initiative which explores the possibility of establishing an optional protocol to the Convention of the Rights of the Child to strengthen the right to free education. In this regard, Georgia was proud to co-sponsor a resolution to establish a relevant intergovernmental working group.

In conclusion, let me reiterate my government’s full readiness to continue close cooperation with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and active engagement with the UN Human Rights Mechanisms”, - said Maka Botchorishvili.