US Congress Delegation in Georgia visits occupation line, meets representatives of local NGOs

US Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Rob Portman who arrived in Georgia on June 1, visited the occupation line near Zemo Nikozi village, bordering the Russian-occupied region of Tskhinvali, the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia has reported.

First in Zemo Nikozi, and later in the village of Ergneti, EUMM Monitors briefed the Senators on the security situation in the area, with a focus on ‘borderisation’ with as wire fences, observation posts, and surveillance equipment, and the negative impact on freedom of movement and other human rights of conflict-affected communities.

During the visit, the Head of Mission thoroughly updated the Congressional Delegation on specific challenges of the communities living along the administrative boundary lines, which have been further aggravated with the COVID-19 pandemic,” the EUMM’s press release stated.

EUMM’s official report on the visit also noted that the Senators applauded EUMM for its work as the only international monitoring presence on the ground.

Senators Shaheen and Portman also participated in a meeting with local NGOs, including the International Republican Institute (IRI), National Democratic Institute (NDI), International Society for Fair Elections And Democracy (ISFED), International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), and Georgia’s Young Lawyers Association.

According to the head of the Young Lawyers Association Nika Simonishvili, one of the most important topics of the discussion was the pressing need for judicial reform in Georgia:

“Since we have not yet seen enough political will from the government authorities on the subject of a compulsory judicial reform, as opposed to a limited number of procedural changes, we clearly need to discuss this issue with senators,” Simonishvili said.

The US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan stated earlier that the visit of the US Congress delegation visit to Georgia is a clear sign of the US support towards the people of Georgia and their efforts to build a democracy.

A similar incentive has been expressed by the Georgian Ambassador to the US, David Bakradze who said that the timely visit of the US delegation to Georgia shows America’s unwavering support to Georgia:

“Today, amidst the challenges caused by the complex situation in the region and the need for economic recovery in the aftermath of the global pandemic, their support is especially important to us”, Bakradze stated.