A/HRC/39/44
have on the human rights of the affected population in Abkhazia and South Ossetia,
OHCHR echoes the Secretary-General’s hope that these efforts will be translated into
concrete steps to improve the situation of people in both regions.
III. Conclusions
90.
The High Commissioner reiterates his appreciation for the continuous
cooperation between the Government of Georgia and his Office, which demonstrates
the Government’s commitment to human rights. Building on this strong partnership,
OHCHR remains committed to further supporting the Government and other
national stakeholders to continuously improve the promotion and protection of all
human rights by all in Georgia, including through the implementation of the Human
Rights Action Plan 2018−2020.
91.
OHCHR welcomes the various achievements made during the reporting period,
such as the progress on the draft law on the State inspector, policies to combat
domestic violence and the adoption of the Law on Occupational Safety. Further
attention is required to tackle persisting challenges in the administration of justice, to
ensure equality and fight discrimination, to strengthen freedom of religion or belief, to
ensure accountability for violations committed by law enforcement agents and to
reduce gender-based and domestic violence in practice. Emerging challenges such as
unsafe working conditions also require immediate attention.
92.
The High Commissioner regrets that there has been no progress in granting
access to OHCHR and other international human rights mechanisms to Abkhazia and
South Ossetia pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 37/40. While OHCHR
welcomes the fact that the authorities in control in Abkhazia have continued to
provide access to some United Nations development and humanitarian actors, it
reiterates its call for the same treatment to be accorded to the human rights pillar.
OHCHR is concerned about the lack of access by OHCHR and international human
rights mechanisms to South Ossetia and the scarcity of information available on the
human rights situation there. OHCHR reiterates its call to the authorities in control in
South Ossetia to provide regular access to actors dealing with human rights. Access to
these regions would enable OHCHR and other actors to conduct assessments so as to
better understand human rights needs, tailor assistance and contribute to confidencebuilding with a view to enhancing human rights protection of the affected population.
93.
The few available reports have pointed to serious human rights issues in
Abkhazia and South Ossetia and also highlighted the need for credible and verified
information. The absence of a political solution, compounded by ensuing political
divergences that inform decisions and practices, continues to adversely affect the
rights of the local population. Growing restrictions on freedom of movement and
other measures have negative implications on the rights to education, health and
property. Ethnic Georgians also appear to regularly face various forms of
discrimination. The death in custody of Archil Tatunashvili in Tskhinvali in February
2018 and other unresolved cases of alleged unlawful death or killing need to be
addressed with a view to establishing facts and response mechanisms in order to avoid
tensions and, ultimately, to ensuring justice and accountability.
94.
OHCHR stresses the importance of continued efforts to foster people-to-people
contacts and welcomes initiatives in this regard. OHCHR also reiterates its support
for efforts made in the context of the Geneva international discussions as a critical
element in the creation of the necessary conditions for the improvement of the human
rights situation of the affected people living in Abkhazia and South Ossetia and
adjacent areas.
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