UK General Comment on the draft resolution on Cooperation with Georgia. Delivered by the UK's Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders.
Mr President,
The UK thanks Georgia for presenting this resolution again.
We reaffirm our support to Georgian sovereignty and self-determination and recognise that for 18 long years Georgian territory has been occupied by an aggressor state. Russia’s unlawful occupation of Abkhazia and South Ossetia has defied international law and denied ethnic Georgians their basic human rights. This occupation must end.
We call on Russia to withdraw its forces, reverse its recognition of these so-called independent regions, and open the door to international human rights monitors, in line with its 2008 ceasefire obligations.
We support the adoption of this resolution, and support the continued monitoring of human rights by OHCHR on developments in the entire territory of Georgia. We recognise the constructive approach taken by Georgia in presenting this resolution and asking for technical support from OHCHR. We hope that the Council can adopt it by consensus.
Thank you