- Sputnik International
Russia
The latest news and stories from Russia. Stay tuned for updates and breaking news on defense, politics, economy and more.

Hague court to probe Georgian claims against Russia over 2008 war

© RIA Novosti . Yuriy Somov / Go to the mediabankInternational Court of Justice in The Hague
International Court of Justice in The Hague - Sputnik International
Subscribe
The International Court of Justice in The Hague begins hearings on Monday into Georgian claims of Russian human rights violations.

The International Court of Justice in The Hague begins hearings on Monday into Georgian claims of Russian human rights violations.

Tbilisi's suit, filed on August 12, 2008, the last day of the brief war over South Ossetia between the two former Soviet republics, maintains that Moscow violated the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

Georgia is also demanding that Russia ensure the return of Georgian refugees to Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Tbilisi claims that Russian forces and local militias infringed the human rights of Georgian nationals residing in its breakaway republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia between 1990 and 2008. It says a systematic campaign against Georgians in the republics has forced more than 300,000 from their homes since 1991.

Georgia is seeking an injunction from the court ordering Moscow to halt "murder" and "forced displacement" in South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

On October 15, the ICJ obliged Russia and Georgia to adopt temporary measures to protect the rights of the Georgian, South Ossetian and Abkhaz populations. The court said both sides must assist in the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Russia has filed an appeal to the Georgia's claim, disputing the court's jurisdiction in the case.

A source close to the case told the Kommersant daily that Moscow had decided to appeal against the formal criteria of the suit rather than challenging Georgian claims. "As it follows from those objections, which Russia handed over to the court, Moscow believes that the Georgian claim is tied to the 1965 Convention artificially, and that is why the ICJ should not hear this case," the source said.

Moscow argues that before the war in South Ossetia, Georgia had never accused Russia of racial discrimination.

Following the August 2008 war, Russia recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The republics have also since been recognized by Nicaragua, Venezuela, and the tiny Pacific island nation of Nauru.

 

MOSCOW, September 13 (RIA Novosti)

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала