On 3 of July, 2012, during the 66th Session, the UN General Assembly adopted the Resolution on the "Status of Internally Displaced Persons and Refugees from Abkhazia, Georgia and the Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia, Georgia." The initial resolution was adopted by the General Assembly in 2008 and since then the latter has been annually confirming the necessity of voluntary, dignified and safe return of IDPs and refugees to their homes. The Resolution also emphasizes the protection and respect of the property rights of the IDPs and refugees.

The Resolution condemns the demographic changes in the occupied regions introduced via forceful means, and calls on the participants of the Geneva Negotiations to activate their efforts for ensuring the return of the IDPs and refugees to their homes. It is important that the Resolution requests the UN Secretary General to present to the General Assembly an annual report on the implementation of the resolution. The next report on the IDPs will be published in 2013.

The Resolution underlines the urgent necessity of an unhampered humanitarian activity in the Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions. Mentioned provision obtains special importance in the light of the continued efforts of the Russian Federation and its proxy regimes to block Humanitarian Missions and International Organizations from entering the occupied territories.

It is noteworthy that, as compared to 2011, the number of supporters grew from 57 to 60.

This positive dynamics generated by the increased number of supporters of the Resolution proves the growing awareness among the international community in respect to the humanitarian problems produced by the forceful demographic changes in the occupied regions of Georgia.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia conveys its appreciation to all states, that supported the Resolution on the right of return of the IDPs and refugees. 

Tbilisi, 3 July 2012