(Read the full article on Civil.ge)

The Council of Europe (CoE) issued the 23rd consolidated report on the conflict in Georgia, presented by Secretary-General Marija Pejčinović Burić at the meeting of CoE Deputies, Civil.ge reported.

According to Civil.ge, covering the period of October 2020-March 2021, the report reviewed the security and human rights situation in the Russian-occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia.

The report, citing the Georgian Government, said that the closure of crossing points with the occupied regions had a “severe” impact on the population of the Abkhazia and Tskhinvali, adding that the pandemic exacerbated the existing human rights situation, Civil.ge said.

The CoE report said that during the review period the Co-Chairs of the Geneva International Discussions remained “fully engaged” with all sides, while the participants on their part remained committed to the forum. It added that “the security situation on the ground was assessed by the Co-Chairs as relatively calm and stable.”

Regarding assistance to the occupied regions, according to the report, the UNDP, UNHCR, WHO and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) aided the Abkhaz population, while the Georgian government supported their response to COVID-19 related challenges.

The report however underlined that international engagement remained limited only to the ICRC in Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia, with its Kremlin-backed authorities refusing Georgian-offered humanitarian assistance as well.