Mr./Madam Chair(man),
Norway thanks the High Commissioner for the report.
We remain concerned about the situation in Georgia’s regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The increasing restrictions on freedom of movement warrant highlighting. Such measures are creating an increasingly acute situation. They negatively affect several aspects of the situation of the local population, and exacerbate their isolation and vulnerability.
We call on the de facto authorities in those two regions to remove obstacles to the freedom of movement, and to cooperate fully on the investigation of alleged 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 reiterate our 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.