A/HRC/36/65 III. Conclusions 89. The High Commissioner welcomes the continuous cooperation between the Government of Georgia and OHCHR and the commitment of the Government to taking steps to improve the national human rights protection system. The efforts of the Government to bring national laws, policies and practices in line with international human rights standards illustrate the will to comply with its obligations and commitments. 90. Public officials, including at the highest levels, are encouraged to speak up more frequently on the importance of human rights for the development of the country. OHCHR remains committed to supporting the Government of Georgia and other national stakeholders in advancing the realization of all human rights for all in Georgia. However, concerns remain with regard to the lack of any independent and effective framework to investigate, prosecute and punish cases of torture and illtreatment and provide remedies for victims or their families; to protect the right to privacy and freedom of the media; to combat discrimination; to guarantee the independence of the judiciary and the fairness of trials; and to improve access to economic and social rights for vulnerable people. 91. The High Commissioner regrets that the authorities in control in Abkhazia and South Ossetia have refused to grant access to OHCHR staff members and to the United Nations human rights mechanisms, despite repeated calls in that regard from the highest United Nations officials. 92. Credible and verified information about the human rights situation in Abkhazia and South Ossetia is lacking, while conflicting claims continue to fuel tensions and undermine security, human rights and development efforts. OHCHR reiterates its readiness to assist all those concerned to assess objectively and address effectively the human rights needs of people. According to available information, some practices in Abkhazia and South Ossetia appear to amount to discriminatory patterns based on ethnic grounds, especially with regard to freedom of movement, access to personal documents, the right to education and property rights. 93. More attention should be paid to the human rights consequences of the past conflicts, which continue to adversely affect the daily lives of the local population. OHCHR calls upon all duty bearers to take all appropriate measures to ensure that the rights guaranteed under international law are upheld without discrimination. 94. Continued efforts within the framework of the Geneva International Discussions — under the co-chairmanship of the European Union, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the United Nations — as well as under the Joint Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism, are of critical importance to create the necessary conditions for the improvement of the human rights situation in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. 95. Support for people-to-people and intercommunal contacts and for the development of effective ways to tackle the issues pertaining to education, crossings, property claims, women’s participation, missing persons and protection of cultural heritage needs to be developed or strengthened. Sports and cultural activities involving youth, as well as joint programmes and study visits for local professionals (e.g. journalists, lawyers and artists) and joint media engagement should be supported. 96. The full participation of women, on equal terms with men, in all aspects of conflict prevention and resolution, including in high-level meetings related to settling conflicts, should be encouraged. All duty bearers are urged to further strengthen efforts to fight against gender-based violence and stereotypical attitudes regarding the roles and responsibilities of women and men in the family and in society. 97. OHCHR welcomes the fact that the authorities in control in Abkhazia provide regular access to some United Nations development and humanitarian actors, and calls for the same treatment of the human rights pillar. OHCHR urges the authorities 16