OSCE Calls on Russia to Stop Occupation of Separatist Tskhinvali and Abkhazia
The Birmingham Declaration of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly underscores the necessity of full implementation by the Russian Federation of the EU-mediated August 12, 2008 Ceasefire Agreement, as well as the decision by the European Court of Human Rights of January 2021, expressing deep regret over the ongoing conflict between the Russian Federation and Georgia since 2008.
The Russian Federation is urged to end its occupation of the Georgian territories of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali and participate constructively in the Geneva International Discussions, according to the Birmingham Declaration, which was adopted by the OSCE PA at its 29th Annual Session in Birmingham on July 2–6, 2022.
“The OSCE encourages the intensification of results-oriented mediation efforts and negotiations in the framework of the existing platforms for conflict resolution and calls on the parties to conflicts to immediately cease all hostilities and engage in dialogue to achieve comprehensive and long-lasting peace in full respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of the internationally recognized borders of Ukraine, Georgia and the Republic of Moldova.
It condemns the humanitarian and human rights situation which has deteriorated in Russian-occupied regions of Georgia – Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia – as a result of the violations of fundamental freedoms and human rights of people living there, various forms of discrimination against ethnic Georgians, and the obliteration and alteration of Georgian features from Georgian cultural heritage monuments in both regions, as a direct consequence of the Russian Federation’s ongoing occupation and russification policy,” the declaration reads.