A/HRC/39/44 69. The Council of Europe specifies that no comprehensive statistical data exist on the number of such detentions in South Ossetia, due to the fact that available information is limited to cases of detention of ethnic Georgians who are subsequently returned to Tbilisicontrolled territory. It is unclear to what extent data are available on individuals who remain in Tskhinvali and who are reportedly also affected.35 70. In their report, Mr. Hammarberg and Ms. Grono also mentioned the issue of such detention practices in Abkhazia. More generally, they stressed the need for new and more humane detention facilities and for interim measures to improve the conditions for inmates.36 71. The Office of the Public Defender of Georgia reported having documented several cases of physical violence against detainees in the detention facilities in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. It referred to data provided by the Georgian Security Service for 2014−2016, when 37 individuals reported having been subjected to physical abuse while being detained along one of the Administrative Boundary Lines. 5. Right to health 72. OHCHR received information indicating that the right to health, including access to health care, in both Abkhazia and South Ossetia continued to be seriously affected due to the restrictions on freedom of movement described above. Patients reportedly have to spend more money and time than before to travel to facilities and receive health services in the Tbilisi-controlled territory. One serious consequence is the delayed provision of health care, which raises particular concern in cases of medical emergencies. The reduced quality of health care is another reported concern. 73. In Abkhazia, some concerns have been reported about the impact of incomplete documentation and limited functioning of crossing points on the circulation of medical emergency vehicles across the Administrative Boundary Line and the consequent delayed provision of treatment. The difficulty of organizing responses to medical emergencies without documentation has been mentioned.37 According to the European External Action Service, the evolving “borderization” has jeopardized access to free hepatitis C treatment under a 2017 initiative of the Government of Georgia to provide free treatment to the residents of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. 74. In South Ossetia, patients and medical emergency vehicles are reported to face difficulties due to the restrictions on crossing the Administrative Boundary Line. Rules reportedly introduced in November 2017 have been particularly restricting movement of emergency vehicles during night-time and on weekends. 75. The right to health is also affected by other decisions of the authorities in control. Various sources have reported on serious concerns about the total ban on abortion services introduced in Abkhazia in 2016. The United Nations country team in Georgia has also reported that the population in Abkhazia still lacks access to basic reproductive health services, including family planning, which are of particular importance in the context of the abortion ban. The United Nations Population Fund is currently providing support in this area with projects aimed at improving the reproductive health and rights of conflict-affected women and youth, strengthening resilience and fostering people-to-people interaction across the Administrative Boundary Line. 6. Right to education 76. The restrictions on the use of Georgian as a language of instruction reportedly continued to be applied in Abkhazia and were introduced in South Ossetia during the reporting period. According to various sources, these restrictions particularly affect the communities who identify as ethnic Georgians living in Gali, Abkhazia, as well as in Akhalgori and other areas in South Ossetia. 35 36 37 See SG/Inf(2018)15, para. 54. Hammarberg and Grono, pp. 8 and 68. Ibid., p. 66. 13