UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING ON PROTRACTED CONFLICTS IN THE GUAM AREA AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL PEACE, SECURITY AND DEVELOPMENT
7 June 2023
Statement delivered by H.E. The Hon Mitch Fifield, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Australian Mission to the United Nations, on behalf of Canada, Australia and New Zealand
I am pleased to deliver a statement on behalf of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand (CANZ) about Georgia’s resolution on the Status of internally displaced persons and refugees from Abkhazia [Ab-kah-zia], Georgia and the Tskhinvali [Ts-hin-vah-li] region/South Ossetia, Georgia.
CANZ is pleased to cosponsor this resolution. We state unequivocally that we support Georgia’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.
Globally, CANZ recognises the right of displaced people to a safe, voluntary, dignified, and unhindered return to their homes, in accordance with international law.
This resolution is important as it addresses a global humanitarian and human rights challenge. We encourage widespread support for this resolution.
In Georgia itself, CANZ considers that forced demographic changes are unacceptable. We support the rights of those people displaced from Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia to return to their homes.
The General Assembly must address the forced demographic changes from the conflicts at the end of the Soviet Union and the war with Russia in 2008. Despite the passage of time, the property rights of all internally displaced persons and refugees in Georgia must be respected.
CANZ is concerned that international human rights organisations are denied access to Abkhazia and South Ossetia. We call on all parties to ensure entry for these organisations and their access to people in need.
CANZ is also concerned by the deterioration of the observation of human rights in these two regions, including the right to freedom of expression, mistreatment of prisoners, and impunity for past abuses.
CANZ calls on all participants to accelerate efforts to achieve a sustainable peace. We are disappointed that the Ceasefire Agreement that ended the 2008 Russia-Georgian war has not been implemented.
And we are concerned that the so-called authorities in South Ossetia continue by increments to push out the administrative boundaries of the region.
Finally, CANZ calls out Russia for its role in creating instability in Georgia. This is part of a trend of Russia’s repeated aggression against its neighbours, including its illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine, which CANZ categorically condemns.
We are committed to a world in which no country dominates, and no country is dominated.