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Statement by Lithuania on behalf of the Nordic and the Baltic States: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden at the UNGA debate under the agenda item 33 - Protracted conflicts in the GUAM area and their implications for international peace, security and development on Tuesday, 3 June 2025.

President,

I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Nordic and the Baltic states: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Norway, Sweden and my own country, Lithuania.

Since Russia’s war against Georgia in 2008, the territorial integrity of Georgia continues to be violated by Russia while thousands of people remain displaced from their homes.

We continue to be seriously concerned with the unresolved situation of internally displaced persons and refugees which is negatively affecting their rights under international law, including international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

As noted in the Secretary General’s report, as of January 2025, 299,172 individuals remain registered as internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Georgia, with the largest concentrations in Tbilisi and Zugdidi/Samegrelo.

Despite the numerous UN GA resolutions, no major progress has been made regarding the right of return for IDPs and refugees from Georgian regions of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia. Russia and de facto authorities of these regions continue to deny return for ethnic Georgians and have implemented discriminatory policies, including defining displaced Georgians as foreigners or stateless and issuing restrictive residency permits.

Prolonged displacement has led to intergenerational challenges, exacerbated by inadequate living conditions, limited livelihood opportunities, and substandard health, education, and sanitation services.

Durable housing solutions and a consultative approach to social support remain critical, alongside adherence to principles of voluntary return and property restitution.

European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in its April 9 Judgment established that the administrative practices by Russia stemming from “borderization” between Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia on the one hand and the Georgian government-controlled territory on the other hand has resulted in multiple cases of violations of international law.

Regrettably, no international human rights monitoring mechanisms have been able to achieve unrestricted access to assess the situation in the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia.  

Humanitarian access remains constrained due to "borderization" and administrative obstacles, hindering contact with families and access to essential services.

We call for immediate, full, safe, and unimpeded humanitarian access to the affected population.

We also call for a more proactive approach by different international organizations. The current situation shall not lead to its legitimization.

We reiterate our support to the process of Geneva International Discussions, established pursuant to the 12 August 2008 Six-point agreement and regret repeated disengagement by the Russian participants of the GID.    In this context, we welcome the Georgian Government’s commitment to provide IDPs with necessary assistance. 

President,

We must also reiterate serious concern with the significant backsliding of democracy in Georgia.

We see a constant deterioration of the situation, especially when it comes to the attempts by Georgian authorities to silence independent voices, restrict freedoms and shrink the space for independent media organizations and civil society, undermining their important role in confidence- and peacebuilding.

These actions seriously undermine human rights and fundamental freedoms.

President,

We continue to view the situation in Georgia within the broader international context of Russia's unjustified, illegal and full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and maintaining illegal military presence in Moldova and Georgia. These actions by Russia represent blatant violation of the UN Charter and international law.

The Nordic and the Baltic states reiterate our full support to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia within their internationally recognized borders. 

The resolution we are adopting today reconfirms the need to continue working for protection and assistance to those who have been forcibly displaced and have not been able to exercise their right to return home safely and in dignity for more than a decade.

We underscore the importance of the UN’s continuous attention to this issue. Therefore, our countries vote in favor of this resolution, and we call on all UN Member States to vote YES.

I thank you.