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• Conflict in Georgia: Secretary General’s Consolidated Report says human rights challenges persist in conflict-affected areas

  Concerns persist regarding the human rights situation in the areas affected by the armed conflict between the Russian Federation and Georgia in August 2008, according to a report by Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić presented to the Committee of Ministers.

  The bi-annual report (covering the period April-October 2022) on the conflict in Georgia highlighted that core issues concerning the human rights and humanitarian situation in the conflict-affected areas continue to see little progress, with restrictions on freedom of movement, including through the illegal so-called “borderisation” process, and access to education and health care remaining of serious concern, including with regard to their impact on vulnerable groups.

  Against this background, the Secretary General welcomed the continuous efforts and initiatives undertaken by the Georgian government aimed at promoting dialogue and reconciliation, and their provision of access to health care, education, and social benefits to residents of the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia.

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   Press release

• ​The First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia has met with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe

  As part of his visit to Strasbourg, on 16 November, the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Lasha Darsalia, held a meeting with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić.
  According to the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, it is important to keep the issues related to the occupied regions of Georgia high on the agenda of the Council of Europe and thanked the Secretary General for preparing the 26th  consolidated report, which provides the international community with information regarding the situation in the Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions occupied by Russia.
  During the meeting, Lasha Darsalia provided the Secretary General with detailed information on the security, human rights and humanitarian situation in the occupied regions of Georgia.
  The Secretary General of the Council of Europe emphasized the importance of the practice of preparing a consolidated report.
  The sides expressed close interest in exchanging high-level visits taking into account the existing environment in the region.
  The sides once again underlined their commitment to close cooperation between Georgia and the Council of Europe.

• Council of Europe Sec-Gen hosts Georgian President

  Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić is hosting Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, the President’s press office has said.

  Zourabichvili is visiting France to attend high-ranking meetings in Strasbourg and Paris.

  She will participate in the World Forum for Democracy 2022 and the Paris Peace Forum.

  As part of the visit, Zourabichvili will also meet with PACE President Tiny Kox and the Prime Minister of Iceland, Katrín Jakobsdóttir.

   

• Council of Europe leaders condemn Russian air strikes against towns and cities in Ukraine

  STRASBOURG. Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Chair of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers, Simon Coveney, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Tiny Kox, and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić, have made the following statement:

  “We strongly condemn the Russian air strikes against towns and cities in Ukraine in the last two days which led to multiple civilian casualties, including many children, as well as the destruction of civilian infrastructure. Such indiscriminate attacks demonstrate blatant disregard for human life and constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law. They must not go unpunished. We also call for compliance by the Russian Federation with the interim measures issued by the European Court of Human Rights on refraining from attacks against civilians and civilian objects, including residential premises. The military aggression against Ukraine has inflicted great pain and suffering for too long. We call on Russia to end its aggression, comply with its obligations under international law and withdraw unconditionally from the entirety of the territory of Ukraine. “

• The Permanent Parliamentary Delegation of Georgia will participate in the autumn session of the PACE

  The Permanent Parliamentary Delegation of Georgia to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), under the leadership of a member of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Georgian Parliament, Irakli Chikovani, will participate in the autumn session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg from 10 to 14 October 2022. "News Day Georgia" was informed about this in the administration of the Parliament.

  According to their information, other members of the Permanent Parliamentary Delegation of Georgia: Irakli Kobakhidze, Levan Ioseliani, Khatia Dekanoidze, Givi Mikanadze and Fridon Injia will also participate in the autumn session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is due to address the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) by videoconference during its autumn plenary session.

  There will also be addresses by the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, and the President of the Swiss Confederation, Ignazio Cassis, as well as the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama.

  In addition, the 2022 Václav Havel Human Rights Prize will be awarded in a special ceremony during the session, with the overall winner to be selected from among three shortlisted candidates.

  During the working days of the session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Current affairs debates have been requested on “Europe half a year after the start of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine”, “Food security in Europe: grain exports through Ukrainian ports” and “The military hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan”. An urgent debate has also been requested on "Recent outrageous and inhuman activities of the Russian Federation".

  Thomas Byrne, Ireland’s European Affairs Minister, will present the Communication from the Committee of Ministers in the framework of the Irish Presidency of the Council of Europe. The Organisation’s Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić will hold the usual question time with PACE members.

  The Assembly is also due to debate reports on the misuse of the Schengen Information system by States as a politically-motivated sanction, discrimination against women in sport, safe third countries for asylum seekers, illegal measures of migration management in the context of pushbacks on land and sea, and revisiting labour rights.

  The Assembly will decide its final agenda on the first day of the session.