European Parliament Issues Resolution Condemning the Murder of Tamaz Ginturi by Russian Occupation Forces

By Liza Mchedlidze

Thursday, November 23, 2023

On November 22, a debate took place in the European Parliament concerning the resolution initiated by a group of deputies. This resolution addresses the killing of Tamaz Ginturi by Russian occupation forces in Gori Municipality.

European parliamentarian Anna Fotyga called for a debate in the European Parliament and urged the adoption of a resolution regarding the murder of Ginturi.

The draft resolution is titled "Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the killing of Tamaz Ginturi, a Georgian citizen, by Russia's occupying forces in Georgia."

The resolution condemns the use of force by Russian occupation forces against Georgian citizens and emphasizes that these acts are direct consequences of the Russian occupation. It underscores the need for continued support for Georgia's sovereignty, a peaceful resolution to the conflict, and compliance with international obligations by the Russian Federation, calling on the EU to remain committed to these goals.

"The European Parliament,

. having regard to its previous resolutions on Georgia,

. having regard to Rules 144(5) and 132(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

. whereas on November 6, 2023, Georgian citizen Tamaz Ginturi was killed by Russian occupation forces near the occupation line in the village of Kirbali in Gori Municipality; whereas Levan Dotiashvili was abducted in the same incident;

. whereas the Russian Federation continues to illegally occupy the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali/South Ossetia, violating Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as the EU-brokered ceasefire agreement of 12 August 2008;

. whereas there is ongoing ethnic discrimination and other serious violations of the human rights of Georgians in the Russian-occupied territories of Georgia, the erection of barbed wire fences and other artificial barriers, long-term closure of the so-called border crossings on the occupation line, illegal detentions, kidnappings and murders of Georgian citizens by Russian occupation forces;

. Extends condolences to the family of Tamaz Ginturi; strongly condemns the use of force by Russian occupation forces against Georgian citizens;

. Stresses that the killing of Tamaz Ginturi as well as previous brutal murders of Georgian IDPs Archil Tatunashvili, Giga Otkhozoria and Davit Basharuli, as well as the death of Irakli Kvaratskhelia in the Russian military base in the occupied Abkhazia region, is a direct consequence of Russian occupation of Georgian territory;

. Strongly condemns the illegal occupation of the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali/South Ossetia by the Russian Federation, which is a blatant violation of international law as well as the further illegal "borderization" of these regions; strongly condemns the discrimination against Georgian ethnic groups in the occupied territories, the violation of their right to access education in their native language, illegal detentions, kidnappings and restrictions freedom of movement that takes place along the administrative border;

. Expresses its continued support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within the internationally recognized borders; calls for continued efforts towards a negotiated peaceful solution to the conflict and an end to the Russian occupation of Georgian territory;

. Recalls that the EU remains committed to a peaceful conclusion of the Russian occupation of Georgian territory conflict and utilises using all available instruments, including the Special Representative for the South Caucasus region and the crisis in Georgia, the international Geneva talks, the incident prevention and response mechanisms, the EU monitoring mission in Georgia, as well as policies of non-recognition and engagement;

. Calls on the Russian Federation to fulfill its international obligations arising from the EU-brokered ceasefire agreement of 12 August 2008, in particular, the commitment to withdraw all military and security forces to pre-conflict positions and to allow the European Union Monitoring Mission to have unrestricted access to the entire territory of Georgia, in accordance with its mandate;

. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to relevant authorities in Georgia, Russia and EU institutions." the resolution reads.