As delivered by Minister Counsellor Herborg Alvsåker (Norway).
Mr Chairman,
Norway thanks the High Commissioner for his report.
We remain concerned about the situation in Georgia’s regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
The continuing illegal so-called “borderisation” activities remain a cause for concern. They divide communities and hinder freedom of movement. Other new measures also deprive the local population of fundamental rights, including education in the native language. We call on the de facto authorities in those two regions to remove the obstacles to the freedom of movement and to investigate all allegations of crimes and human rights violations.
We support the further engagement by the OHCHR and other international actors to help ensure that human rights are upheld throughout Georgia. We call for unhindered access of international humanitarian actors and human rights mechanisms to the regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
Lastly, let me reiterate Norway’s firm support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.
Thank you.