(Tbilisi, August 21, 2008) – Georgian and Russian authorities should take urgent measures to protect the civilian population in Georgian villages from unexploded ordnance left by Russian attacks, Human Rights Watch said today. Human Rights Watch researchers documented additional Russian cluster munitions attacks during the conflict in Georgia, refuting Russia’s earlier denials that it used the weapon.
Human Rights Watch researchers saw and photographed unexploded submunitions from cluster munitions in and around the villages of Shindisi, in the Gori district of Georgia. Residents from Shindisi and the nearby Pkhvenisi village told Human Rights Watch researchers there are hundreds of unexploded submunitions in the area. Submunition “duds” are highly dangerous and can explode if picked up or otherwise disturbed.
“Many people have died because of Russia’s use of cluster munitions in Georgia, even as Moscow denied it had used this barbaric weapon,” said Marc Garlasco, senior military analyst at Human Rights Watch. “Many more people could be killed or wounded unless Russia allows professional demining organizations to enter at once to clean the affected areas.”
Witnesses told Human Rights Watch that on August 8, 2008, Russian air strikes on Georgian armored units located near Shindisi and Pkhvenisi were followed by extensive cluster munition strikes that killed at least one civilian and injured another in Shindisi. At least two more civilians were killed and five wounded in the following days when they handled unexploded submunitions, including an incident 10 days after the initial strikes. As of August 20, Shindisi and Pkhvenisi areas remain under Russian control.
Zviad Geladze, 38, points to a cluster munition strike on the path to his farm field. © 2008 Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch called upon Russia to immediately stop using cluster munitions, weapons so dangerous to civilians that more than 100 nations have agreed to ban their use. Human Rights Watch also called on Russia to provide precise strike data on its cluster attacks in order to facilitate cleanup of areas contaminated by submunitions. Human Rights Watch called on Georgia to undertake an immediate risk education program for its population, including radio and television announcements about the dangers of submunitions.
In Shindisi, Human Rights Watch researchers saw unexploded dual purpose (anti-armor and antipersonnel) submunitions, commonly known as Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munition (DPICM) submunitions.
“Highly dangerous unexploded bomblets now litter farms, roads, and pathways in Shindisi and Pkhvenisi,” said Garlasco. “People remaining in these areas don’t realize the dangers these submunitions pose and are at serious risk of injury or death if they handle, or even approach, the bomblets.”
Human Rights Watch first reported on Russian use of cluster munitions in Georgia on August 15, after it identified strikes on Gori and Ruisi on August 12 that killed at least 11 civilians and injured dozens more. Russia subsequently denied any use of cluster munitions. Colonel General Anatoly Nogovitsyn, deputy head of the Russian General Staff, stated on August 15, “We did not use cluster bombs, and what’s more, there was absolutely no necessity to do so.”
Unexploded Russian submunitions found by Human Rights Watch researchers in Shindisi, a village in the Gori region of Georgia. These submunition "duds" are highly dangerous and can explode if picked up or otherwise disturbed. © 2008 Human Rights Watch
Zura Tatrishvili, 62, showed Human Rights Watch researchers an unexploded submunition that he had picked up without realizing that just touching it could make it explode. “We were playing with them, as were the Georgian soldiers,” said Tatrishvili. “It was only when one of the bombs exploded after a soldier threw it that we understood that they were dangerous.” Even now, Tatrishvili continues to keep his livestock in a pen with unexploded submunitions, demonstrating the need for clearance as well as education.
During the attack on August 8 in Shindisi, Vano Gogidze, 45, was killed and his relative, Dato Gogidze, 39, was injured. Also in Shindisi, Ramaz Arabashvili, 40, was killed and four people were wounded when a submunition that they had gathered from a field exploded on August 10. On August 18, in Pkhvenisi, Veliko Bedianashvili, 70, died when a submunition exploded in his hand. “There are so many of these lying around. The fields are full of them,” said his son, Durmiskhan Bedianashvili.
Zviad Geladze, 38, showed Human Rights Watch researchers fields contaminated with submunitions. He estimated the submunitions covered an area extending at least one kilometer through his farm. The fields are full of produce ready to harvest. Because humanitarian agencies continue to lack access to much of the Gori region, fields like Geladze’s may provide residents of the region with their only food source.
Cluster munitions contain dozens or hundreds of smaller submunitions or bomblets and cause unacceptable humanitarian harm in two ways. First, their broad-area effect kills and injures civilians indiscriminately during strikes. Second, many submunitions do not explode, becoming de facto landmines that cause civilian casualties for months or years to come.
Under international humanitarian law, indiscriminate attacks including attacks in populated areas with weapons that cannot be targeted solely at military targets are prohibited. Russia has an obligation not only to cease any such attacks, but also to take all necessary measures now to ensure the safety of the civilian population in areas over which it exercises effective control.
Human Rights Watch called on Georgia, which is known to have cluster munitions in its stockpiles, to join the international move to ban the use of cluster munitions and to publicly undertake not to use such weapons in this conflict. Neither Russia nor Georgia was part of the Oslo Process launched in February 2007 to develop a new international treaty banning cluster munitions. In May 2008, 107 nations adopted the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which comprehensively bans the use, production, trade and stockpiling of the weapon. It will be open for signature in Oslo on December 3.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Restricted freedom of movement for diplomatic corps through Georgia
On 21 August 2008 the Embassy of the Russian Federation to Georgia sent a Note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia. The Note, in particular, indicates: ‘in order to arrange civilized movement throughout Gori for the delegations and persons intending to arrive or already present in Georgia and planning to travel to Gori, the Embassy requests advance notification on any such travel plan, delegation members, travel objectives and duration, transport vehicles and itinerary. In the given situation the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation must obtain such information in order to give respective instructions to the peacekeeping command, which will further ensure unhindered movement’.
In the aftermath of ethnic cleansing and mass and flagrant violation of human rights perpetrated by the Russian army on the territory of Georgia, the Russian Federation undertook to restrict freedom of movement for the diplomatic corps throughout the territory of Georgia. It points clearly to the degree of Moscow’s compliance with the ceasefire agreement signed by the Russian President and provides another proof of continued occupation of Georgian territory by the Russian armed forces.
By undertaking such actions, the Russian Federation grossly violates provisions of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Article 26 of the Convention, in particular, stipulates that the receiving State shall ensure to all members of the diplomatic corps freedom of movement and travel throughout all of its territory.
Russia’s actions in Georgia contradict such universally recognized norms and principles of international common and codified law, which provide the basis and guarantee for establishing each state as a subject of international law within the international system.
It is a regrettable fact that the Russian Federation being a legal successor to the Soviet Union continues to base its actions on Soviet-imperialist traditions.
In the aftermath of ethnic cleansing and mass and flagrant violation of human rights perpetrated by the Russian army on the territory of Georgia, the Russian Federation undertook to restrict freedom of movement for the diplomatic corps throughout the territory of Georgia. It points clearly to the degree of Moscow’s compliance with the ceasefire agreement signed by the Russian President and provides another proof of continued occupation of Georgian territory by the Russian armed forces.
By undertaking such actions, the Russian Federation grossly violates provisions of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Article 26 of the Convention, in particular, stipulates that the receiving State shall ensure to all members of the diplomatic corps freedom of movement and travel throughout all of its territory.
Russia’s actions in Georgia contradict such universally recognized norms and principles of international common and codified law, which provide the basis and guarantee for establishing each state as a subject of international law within the international system.
It is a regrettable fact that the Russian Federation being a legal successor to the Soviet Union continues to base its actions on Soviet-imperialist traditions.
Extraordinary joint meeting
The European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on Security and Defence and the Delegation for relations with the South Caucasus held an extraordinary joint meeting on 20 August 2008 to discuss the situation in Georgia.
French Minister of State for European Affairs Jean-Pierre Jouyet was invited as a rapporteur at the first part of the session, which was closed to the public. Following his address European Parliament members heard the remarks of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Eka Tkeshelashvili.
A majority of members of the European Parliament expressed their solidarity with and support for Georgia. The meeting condemned Russia’s aggressive actions. It was decided that the situation in Georgia will be discussed at the first plenary session of the European Parliament scheduled to take place at the beginning of September and that the European Parliament will adopt a respective resolution.
‘Given Russia defying its international commitments, the European Union can no longer continue its usual way of cooperation with Russia’ - Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Jacek Saryusz-Wolski is quoted as saying.
The focus of discussions was also the type of economic and political assistance the European Union may render to Georgia in the given situation.
French Minister of State for European Affairs Jean-Pierre Jouyet was invited as a rapporteur at the first part of the session, which was closed to the public. Following his address European Parliament members heard the remarks of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Eka Tkeshelashvili.
A majority of members of the European Parliament expressed their solidarity with and support for Georgia. The meeting condemned Russia’s aggressive actions. It was decided that the situation in Georgia will be discussed at the first plenary session of the European Parliament scheduled to take place at the beginning of September and that the European Parliament will adopt a respective resolution.
‘Given Russia defying its international commitments, the European Union can no longer continue its usual way of cooperation with Russia’ - Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Jacek Saryusz-Wolski is quoted as saying.
The focus of discussions was also the type of economic and political assistance the European Union may render to Georgia in the given situation.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Timeline for 21st August, to 21:00
The information below is accurate to the best of our knowledge,
but is subject to verification.
21:00 Russian troops once again fail to pullout as agreed
Russia again delayed the pullout of its troops. According to the Commander of Russian Ground Forces, Army General Vladimir Boldirev, the process of withdrawal of Russian troops from the territory of Georgia will take 10 days. He declared that peacekeeping checkpoints will start operating from August 22nd and remaining Russian troops will pullout in the coming ten days.
19:30 Russian militaries release 10 soldiers out of 20, captured on 19th of August in Poti Port.
18:00 Russian military handed 62 Georgian civilian hostages to Georgian side. Government of Georgia claims 101 more civilians are kept by Russian side in Tskhinvali.
16:00 According to the Foreign Minister of Finland and the OSCE Chair in Office Alex Stubb, there is little evidence of Russian troops withdrawing.
Russia restricts the freedom of movement throughout territory of Georgia
Embassy of the Russian Federation to Georgia handed a Note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, according to which the Ministry of Defense of the RF must be in advance notified about any planned travel of all delegations and persons to Gori. The statement of Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs considers this as an attempt from Russian side to restrict the freedom of movement for the diplomatic corps throughout the territory of Georgia and serves as another proof of continued occupation of Georgian territory by the Russian armed forces.
15:00 Russians creating a buffer zone
According to Anatoly Nogovitsin,Ddeputy Chief of the General Staff of the Russian armed forces, Russian forces will establish two lines of checkpoints in “a security zone” in the vicinity of South Ossetia“. “The first line will include eight checkpoints across the line of zone of responsibility of the Russian peacekeepers. The second line – involving 10 checkpoints – will be set across the administrative border of South Ossetia. Total of 272 soldiers will be deployed on the eight checkpoints of the first line,” he declared, and added that there will be a buffer zone between these two lines. Nogovitsin did not give any other details or specifics about the exact area of the zone; however he said that the town of Gori would not be included in the zone.
11:00 Ambassador of France to Georgia Eric Fournier is being blocked near Gori by Russian troops on his way from Satchkhere to Tbilisi and is prevented to continue his drive. He has been allowed to continue at 13:00.
10:30 Russian troops dig entrenchments in Poti
• Russian occupants start digging entrenchments in Poti. Russian `BMP` armored tanks and `URAL` trucks are located at the Nabadi territory at the entrance of the city
As reported, Russian troops open fire on Humanitarian Airplanes above Gori.
but is subject to verification.
21 AUGUST
21:00 Russian troops once again fail to pullout as agreed
Russia again delayed the pullout of its troops. According to the Commander of Russian Ground Forces, Army General Vladimir Boldirev, the process of withdrawal of Russian troops from the territory of Georgia will take 10 days. He declared that peacekeeping checkpoints will start operating from August 22nd and remaining Russian troops will pullout in the coming ten days.
19:30 Russian militaries release 10 soldiers out of 20, captured on 19th of August in Poti Port.
18:00 Russian military handed 62 Georgian civilian hostages to Georgian side. Government of Georgia claims 101 more civilians are kept by Russian side in Tskhinvali.
16:00 According to the Foreign Minister of Finland and the OSCE Chair in Office Alex Stubb, there is little evidence of Russian troops withdrawing.
Russia restricts the freedom of movement throughout territory of Georgia
Embassy of the Russian Federation to Georgia handed a Note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, according to which the Ministry of Defense of the RF must be in advance notified about any planned travel of all delegations and persons to Gori. The statement of Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs considers this as an attempt from Russian side to restrict the freedom of movement for the diplomatic corps throughout the territory of Georgia and serves as another proof of continued occupation of Georgian territory by the Russian armed forces.
15:00 Russians creating a buffer zone
According to Anatoly Nogovitsin,Ddeputy Chief of the General Staff of the Russian armed forces, Russian forces will establish two lines of checkpoints in “a security zone” in the vicinity of South Ossetia“. “The first line will include eight checkpoints across the line of zone of responsibility of the Russian peacekeepers. The second line – involving 10 checkpoints – will be set across the administrative border of South Ossetia. Total of 272 soldiers will be deployed on the eight checkpoints of the first line,” he declared, and added that there will be a buffer zone between these two lines. Nogovitsin did not give any other details or specifics about the exact area of the zone; however he said that the town of Gori would not be included in the zone.
11:00 Ambassador of France to Georgia Eric Fournier is being blocked near Gori by Russian troops on his way from Satchkhere to Tbilisi and is prevented to continue his drive. He has been allowed to continue at 13:00.
10:30 Russian troops dig entrenchments in Poti
• Russian occupants start digging entrenchments in Poti. Russian `BMP` armored tanks and `URAL` trucks are located at the Nabadi territory at the entrance of the city
As reported, Russian troops open fire on Humanitarian Airplanes above Gori.
Another illegal act carried out by the Russian Federation’s armed forces
It has become known that the Russian Federation’s armed forces illegally stationed on the territory of Georgia are mounting yet another provocation. In particular, Russian servicemen with the use of appropriate equipment are building a fixed control checkpoint on the Senaki-Poti highway, in the vicinity of the entrance to Poti, on the so-called 7th kilometer.
The aforesaid fact indicates the Russian side’s yet another attempt to proceed with and further expand its military intervention in and occupation of the territory of Georgia. It needs to be noted that Poti is located approximately 30 kilometers from the conflict zone of Abkhazia and approximately 160 kilometers from the conflict zone of the Tskhinvali region.
Against the background of the Russian Federation’s statement made at the highest level, actual facts of withdrawal of Russian troops from the territory of Georgia point quite to the contrary.
We once again call on the international community to employ all resources at its disposal to put an end to Russian aggression.
The aforesaid fact indicates the Russian side’s yet another attempt to proceed with and further expand its military intervention in and occupation of the territory of Georgia. It needs to be noted that Poti is located approximately 30 kilometers from the conflict zone of Abkhazia and approximately 160 kilometers from the conflict zone of the Tskhinvali region.
Against the background of the Russian Federation’s statement made at the highest level, actual facts of withdrawal of Russian troops from the territory of Georgia point quite to the contrary.
We once again call on the international community to employ all resources at its disposal to put an end to Russian aggression.
Georgian Foreign Minister holds bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the NATO Foreign Ministerial Session in Brussels
On the sidelines of the NATO Foreign Ministerial Session on the situation in Georgia, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Eka Tkeshelashvili held a number of bilateral meetings at NATO headquarters in Brussels.
On 19 August 2008, the Georgian Foreign Minister met with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Minister of Foreign Affairs of France Bernard Kouchner, Federal Foreign Minister of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada David Emerson, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands Maxime Verhagen, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria Ivailo Kalfin and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway Jonas Gahr Støre.
The same day a working dinner was held with the foreign Ministers of the New Group of Friends. The Georgian Foreign Minister also met with OSCE Chairman-in-office, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland Alexander Stubb and High Representative of the Common and Security Policy of the European Union Javier Solana.
During these meetings, Minister Tkeshelashvili provided her foreign colleagues with exhaustive information on the Russian Federation’s military aggression against Georgia and the ongoing occupation. It was underlined that Russia continues naval and transport blockade disrupting military as well as civilian infrastructure and inflicting irreparable economic damage on the country.
The foreign diplomats unequivocally reaffirmed their support for Georgia’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and the necessity of Russia’s unconditional compliance with its commitments under the ceasefire agreement, envisaging, in particular, immediate withdrawal of Russian troops from the Georgian territory. The Alliance member states were unanimous in pledging their support for Georgia in various important fields.
The countries also expressed their readiness for active involvement in terms of providing humanitarian assistance and carrying out restoration works on the territory of Georgia.
On 19 August 2008, the Georgian Foreign Minister met with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Minister of Foreign Affairs of France Bernard Kouchner, Federal Foreign Minister of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada David Emerson, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands Maxime Verhagen, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria Ivailo Kalfin and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway Jonas Gahr Støre.
The same day a working dinner was held with the foreign Ministers of the New Group of Friends. The Georgian Foreign Minister also met with OSCE Chairman-in-office, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland Alexander Stubb and High Representative of the Common and Security Policy of the European Union Javier Solana.
During these meetings, Minister Tkeshelashvili provided her foreign colleagues with exhaustive information on the Russian Federation’s military aggression against Georgia and the ongoing occupation. It was underlined that Russia continues naval and transport blockade disrupting military as well as civilian infrastructure and inflicting irreparable economic damage on the country.
The foreign diplomats unequivocally reaffirmed their support for Georgia’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and the necessity of Russia’s unconditional compliance with its commitments under the ceasefire agreement, envisaging, in particular, immediate withdrawal of Russian troops from the Georgian territory. The Alliance member states were unanimous in pledging their support for Georgia in various important fields.
The countries also expressed their readiness for active involvement in terms of providing humanitarian assistance and carrying out restoration works on the territory of Georgia.
On the UN Security Council Session
On 19 August 2008, in New York, on the initiative of the Permanent Mission of France to the United Nations, an emergency session of the UN Security Council was held to deal with the tense situation in the Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia and other parts of Georgia.
Permanent Representative of Georgia to UN Irakli Alasania addressed the Security Council session acquainting its members in detail with the existing situation in Georgia. He asserted that the Russian Federation is carrying out a massive military intervention in Georgia and urged the Council members for action.
Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Lynn Pascoe and Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Edmond Mulet expressed their deep concern over the situation in Georgia and called on the Russian Federation for immediate compliance with the commitments undertaken on the basis of the ceasefire agreement.
Representatives of the United States, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Belgium and Costa Rica also registered unanimously their support for the principles of Georgia’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and inviolability of borders and urged Russia for adherence to the commitments under the ceasefire agreement and immediate withdrawal of its troops from the territory of Georgia.
The Permanent Mission of France to the United Nations developed a draft resolution of the UN Security Council, which should provide legal guarantees for the fulfillment of the peace agreement reached between Georgia and Russia.
Despite the commitment undertaken by the Russian Federation at the highest level to fulfill this agreement, Russia’s Permanent Representative to UN V. Churkin insisted on removal of the key points of this agreement from the draft resolution, which made it impossible to adopt the document.
The international community should no longer be surprised at the fact that the Russian Federation, which in the 21st century occupied the territory of Georgia thus lifting the veil from the hitherto disguised priorities of its own foreign policy, does all in its power to prevent the UN Security Council from adopting a resolution that could make Russia give up on its designs.
Permanent Representative of Georgia to UN Irakli Alasania addressed the Security Council session acquainting its members in detail with the existing situation in Georgia. He asserted that the Russian Federation is carrying out a massive military intervention in Georgia and urged the Council members for action.
Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Lynn Pascoe and Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Edmond Mulet expressed their deep concern over the situation in Georgia and called on the Russian Federation for immediate compliance with the commitments undertaken on the basis of the ceasefire agreement.
Representatives of the United States, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Belgium and Costa Rica also registered unanimously their support for the principles of Georgia’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and inviolability of borders and urged Russia for adherence to the commitments under the ceasefire agreement and immediate withdrawal of its troops from the territory of Georgia.
The Permanent Mission of France to the United Nations developed a draft resolution of the UN Security Council, which should provide legal guarantees for the fulfillment of the peace agreement reached between Georgia and Russia.
Despite the commitment undertaken by the Russian Federation at the highest level to fulfill this agreement, Russia’s Permanent Representative to UN V. Churkin insisted on removal of the key points of this agreement from the draft resolution, which made it impossible to adopt the document.
The international community should no longer be surprised at the fact that the Russian Federation, which in the 21st century occupied the territory of Georgia thus lifting the veil from the hitherto disguised priorities of its own foreign policy, does all in its power to prevent the UN Security Council from adopting a resolution that could make Russia give up on its designs.
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