28/01/2011

Russia makes two points of order because Georgia mentions the human rights situation in South Ossetia and Abkhazia

The Russian Federation made a point of order during the Universal Periodic Review of Georgia when the latter raised the human rights situation in South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The speaker argued that Georgia had no power over those two territories and that these should therefore not be discussed at the UPR of Georgia.

Georgia then made a point of order against the Russian Federation and called for them not to politicize the review, explaining that the territorial integrity of Georgia was recognized internationally in many UN resolutions.

Following this, the Vice President of the Human Rights Council (HRC), H.E. Mr. Arcanjo Maria Do Nascimento, reminded delegations that points of order should only be made on procedural matters and that discussions on territories did not fall within this category. He also called on States not to use the UPR to debate bilateral matters.

At the end of the review and just before the final comments by Georgia, the Russian Federation made a second point of order on the same groud, followed by a second point of order from Georgia and a reminder by the HRC Vice President that the UPR was not the adequate forum for territorial discussions.