AS (2013) CR 05
Addendum 1

2013 ORDINARY SESSION

________________________

(First part)

REPORT

Fifth Sitting

Wednesday 23 January 2013 at 10 a.m.

ADDENDUM 1

Georgia and Russia: the humanitarian situation

in the conflict- and war-affected areas

      The following texts were submitted for inclusion in the official report by members who were present in the Chamber but were prevented by lack of time from delivering them.

Mr CHISU (Canada) — I am pleased to have the opportunity to address the Assembly on this topic.

The conflict between Georgia and Russia is above all a human tragedy. While negotiations continue for a political solution to the conflict over South Ossetia and Abkhazia, the human dimensions of the conflict, particularly the plight of displaced persons, remain to be fully addressed.

The rapporteur, Ms Tina Acketoft, has done an admirable job of documenting the scope of the work that remains to be done.

Canada agrees that the political obstacles to resolving the dispute between Georgia and Russia as regards the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia should not stand in the way of meeting pressing humanitarian needs. Canada concurs with the highly practical recommendations contained in the report and supports the call for targeted and co-ordinated humanitarian assistance.

This report represents a valuable contribution towards an eventual resolution to the humanitarian crisis. It provides a clear and detailed picture of the scope of the problem and proposes sensible solutions for alleviating human suffering.

This report identifies a number of important areas that call for immediate attention, including housing, health care, security issues, violence against women, freedom of movement to enable displaced persons to engage in economic livelihoods, access to education for children, and greater efforts to locate missing persons.

There are encouraging signs on the political and diplomatic front. The new Georgian Government has reaffirmed its commitment to continuing to work towards the eventual reintegration of the two regions, despite the difficulties that lie ahead. Its foreign relations priorities now include the normalisation of relations with Russia, with steps taken to reintroduce air links and the reopening of the land border crossing. Concerns remain, however, about the continued presence of offices established by Russia in South Ossetia and Abkhazia that are characterised as ‘embassies’. A political solution would go a long way towards easing many of the difficulties faced by displaced persons.

Canada strongly supports the efforts to continue dialogue and constructive engagement between Georgia, the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and Russia, particularly through the Geneva talks. While recent political changes in Georgia may lead to some flexibility in negotiations on both sides, Canada shares the view of the rapporteur that these changes will not amount to a ‘seismic shift’ in the slow pace of the talks.

The continuing efforts of the Council of Europe in bringing to light the human dimensions of the conflict between Georgia and Russia, and proposing concrete solutions to resolving the humanitarian crisis in the region, are commendable.

Mr SHEVCHENKO (Ukraine) — The war between Russia and Georgia has caused many problems which are hard to resolve. Experience has proved that it takes great effort and much time.

Since the territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia are occupied by Russian troops, it is difficult to ensure that displaced persons’ right to come back to their places of residence is observed.

I support the draft resolution and agree that for the maintenance of security and long-term trust along the line of the administrative border, a strong and impartial international peace-keeping and controlling presence on both sides of the border is needed.

The governments of many European countries are afraid of aggressive Russia and keep silent. But the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe should demand the withdrawal of Russian troops from the occupied territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

The rights of a single person are inseparable from the rights of the whole nation. Europe should not watch silently as Russia strangles Ukraine and Georgia.