The News in Brief
Thursday, August 8, 2024
Prepared by Messenger Staff
U.S. Marks 16th Anniversary of Russia's Invasion of Georgia, Reaffirms Support
On the 16th anniversary of Russia's invasion of Georgia, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a statement remembering those affected by the conflict and reaffirming America's support for Georgia's sovereignty.
"Today we mark sixteen years since Russia invaded the sovereign nation of Georgia and remember those killed, injured, or displaced by Russia's military campaign and illegal occupation," Blinken stated. He noted that Russia continues to occupy 20 percent of Georgian territory and is taking actions that undermine Georgian sovereignty, including claims over strategic lands in Abkhazia and efforts to establish a permanent naval base in Ochamchire.
Blinken emphasized the U.S. commitment to Georgia's territorial integrity and called on Russia to meet its obligations under the 2008 ceasefire agreement.
"We call on Russia to fulfill its commitments and obligations under the 2008 ceasefire agreement to withdraw its forces to pre-conflict positions and allow unimpeded access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance," he said. Blinken also urged Russia to reverse its recognition of the so-called independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which would help tens of thousands of displaced people return to their homes safely.
GYLA Criticizes Government for Ignoring Compensation Fund Request for War Victims
On the 16th anniversary of the August War, the Georgian Young Lawyers' Association criticized the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for not responding to their request for an international compensation fund for war victims.
In a statement, GYLA revealed that they had submitted a formal request to the Ministry on January 26, 2024, asking for the creation of a fund to compensate victims of the 2008 conflict with Russia. As of now, GYLA has not received any response from the Ministry.
"On January 26, 2024, GYLA appealed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia to use the available resources in the Council of Europe to create an international compensation fund for victims of the Russian Federation as a result of the August war and in the subsequent period," the statement said. "GYLA's appeal has not yet received a response from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia."
The association stressed the importance of using diplomatic and international legal mechanisms to enforce the European Court of Human Rights' decisions against Russia. GYLA also criticized the government for opposing civil society efforts, stating, "Instead, the Georgian authorities are openly fighting against civil society, which plays an important role in protecting the rights of people affected by the conflict at the international and national level, with the 'Russian law'."
GYLA's statement also raised concerns that restrictive measures like the "Foreign Agents" law could undermine Georgia's Euro-Atlantic goals and its constitutional guarantees of sovereignty and territorial integrity.
U.S. Marks 16th Anniversary of Russia's Invasion of Georgia, Reaffirms Support
"Today we mark sixteen years since Russia invaded the sovereign nation of Georgia and remember those killed, injured, or displaced by Russia's military campaign and illegal occupation," Blinken stated. He noted that Russia continues to occupy 20 percent of Georgian territory and is taking actions that undermine Georgian sovereignty, including claims over strategic lands in Abkhazia and efforts to establish a permanent naval base in Ochamchire.
Blinken emphasized the U.S. commitment to Georgia's territorial integrity and called on Russia to meet its obligations under the 2008 ceasefire agreement.
"We call on Russia to fulfill its commitments and obligations under the 2008 ceasefire agreement to withdraw its forces to pre-conflict positions and allow unimpeded access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance," he said. Blinken also urged Russia to reverse its recognition of the so-called independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which would help tens of thousands of displaced people return to their homes safely.
GYLA Criticizes Government for Ignoring Compensation Fund Request for War Victims
In a statement, GYLA revealed that they had submitted a formal request to the Ministry on January 26, 2024, asking for the creation of a fund to compensate victims of the 2008 conflict with Russia. As of now, GYLA has not received any response from the Ministry.
"On January 26, 2024, GYLA appealed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia to use the available resources in the Council of Europe to create an international compensation fund for victims of the Russian Federation as a result of the August war and in the subsequent period," the statement said. "GYLA's appeal has not yet received a response from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia."
The association stressed the importance of using diplomatic and international legal mechanisms to enforce the European Court of Human Rights' decisions against Russia. GYLA also criticized the government for opposing civil society efforts, stating, "Instead, the Georgian authorities are openly fighting against civil society, which plays an important role in protecting the rights of people affected by the conflict at the international and national level, with the 'Russian law'."
GYLA's statement also raised concerns that restrictive measures like the "Foreign Agents" law could undermine Georgia's Euro-Atlantic goals and its constitutional guarantees of sovereignty and territorial integrity.