Human rights in Abkhazia
Encyclopedia
Human rights in Abkhazia are granted by Chapter II of its Constitution
which makes reference to adherence of Abkhazia
to UDHR, ICCPR and ICESCR (Article 11). However, Abkhazia isn't a UN member state and isn't a party of UN human rights treaties, unlike Georgia, whose sovereignty over Abkhazia is recognized
by a bigger part of the international community. Interestingly, the same Constitution allows only to persons of Abkhaz ethnicity to be President of Abkhazia (Article 49; in the aforementioned translation words Abkhazian nationality are used, however, for citizens, another term is used — citizen of the Republic of Abkhazia, like in Article 38. Besides, in the Constitution's text in co-official Russian language word национальность clearly indicating ethnicity is used).
In the 1990s, ethnic cleansing of Georgians
took place in Abkhazia; many ethnic Georgians remain displaced persons to this day.
Freedom House
classified Abkhazia as partly free naming corruption, problems in the legal system and the unresolved Georgian refugees problem as the main human rights issues.
) exists under the President of Abkhazia.
The UN Human Rights Office Abkhazia, Georgia (HROAG), was established in 1996 to protect and promote human rights there.
radio station; electronic media are partially controlled by the state.
On 21 September 2009 journalist Anton Krivenyuk was sentenced by the Sukhumi
city court to a three year suspended prison sentence for libel of president Sergei Bagapsh
. On 8 June Krivenyuk had written an article for a Russian website which was widely republished in Abkhazian newspapers in which he criticised Bagapsh's decision to hand over control of the Abkhazian railway to Russia. Krivenyuk was the first journalist to be prosecuted in Abkhazia sinds the fall of the Soviet Union, and his conviction was seen by some other journalists as part of a government crack-down on independent media in the run-up to the December 2009 Abkhazian presidential election
.
Constitution of Abkhazia
The Constitution of the Republic of Abkhazia was adopted by the Supreme Council of the Republic of Abkhazia of the 12th convocation on November 26, 1994, and by the national referendum on October 3, 1999, with an amendment adopted by the national referendum on the same day.-Structure:The...
which makes reference to adherence of Abkhazia
Abkhazia
Abkhazia is a disputed political entity on the eastern coast of the Black Sea and the south-western flank of the Caucasus.Abkhazia considers itself an independent state, called the Republic of Abkhazia or Apsny...
to UDHR, ICCPR and ICESCR (Article 11). However, Abkhazia isn't a UN member state and isn't a party of UN human rights treaties, unlike Georgia, whose sovereignty over Abkhazia is recognized
International recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia
Abkhazia and South Ossetia are two breakaway republics in the Caucasus with disputed status over whether they are a part of Georgia or sovereign states. The Republic of Abkhazia and the Republic of South Ossetia were recognised following the 2008 South Ossetia War between Russia and Georgia, by six...
by a bigger part of the international community. Interestingly, the same Constitution allows only to persons of Abkhaz ethnicity to be President of Abkhazia (Article 49; in the aforementioned translation words Abkhazian nationality are used, however, for citizens, another term is used — citizen of the Republic of Abkhazia, like in Article 38. Besides, in the Constitution's text in co-official Russian language word национальность clearly indicating ethnicity is used).
In the 1990s, ethnic cleansing of Georgians
Ethnic cleansing of Georgians in Abkhazia
The Ethnic Cleansing of Georgians in Abkhazia, also known as the Massacres of Georgians in Abkhazia and Genocide of Georgians in Abkhazia — refers to ethnic cleansing, massacres and forced mass expulsion of thousands of ethnic Georgians living in Abkhazia during the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict...
took place in Abkhazia; many ethnic Georgians remain displaced persons to this day.
Freedom House
Freedom House
Freedom House is an international non-governmental organization based in Washington, D.C. that conducts research and advocacy on democracy, political freedom and human rights...
classified Abkhazia as partly free naming corruption, problems in the legal system and the unresolved Georgian refugees problem as the main human rights issues.
Domestic and international institutions
A post of Human Rights Commissioner (as of 2008 — Gueorgui OtyrbaGueorgui Otyrba
Gueorgui Otyrba is an Abkhazian politician and academic. He is the current Human Rights Commissioner of Abkhazia and he was acting Minister for Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia between June and July 2004.-Education and career:...
) exists under the President of Abkhazia.
The UN Human Rights Office Abkhazia, Georgia (HROAG), was established in 1996 to protect and promote human rights there.
Media
There are several independent newspapers and one independent SOMARadio SOMA
Radio SOMA is a Russian-language musical FM radio station based in Abkhazia. It is Abkhazia's only independent radio station.-History:The first broadcast started on December 31, 1997. Radio SOMA was founded by Zurab Ajinjal, who first had the idea to launch the station in 1997.-Broadcasts:The...
radio station; electronic media are partially controlled by the state.
On 21 September 2009 journalist Anton Krivenyuk was sentenced by the Sukhumi
Sukhumi
Sukhumi is the capital of Abkhazia, a disputed region on the Black Sea coast. The city suffered heavily during the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict in the early 1990s.-Naming:...
city court to a three year suspended prison sentence for libel of president Sergei Bagapsh
Sergei Bagapsh
Sergei Uasyl-ipa Bagapsh was the second President of the Republic of Abkhazia. He was Prime Minister from 1997 to 1999 and was later elected as President in 2005. He was re-elected in the 2009 presidential election...
. On 8 June Krivenyuk had written an article for a Russian website which was widely republished in Abkhazian newspapers in which he criticised Bagapsh's decision to hand over control of the Abkhazian railway to Russia. Krivenyuk was the first journalist to be prosecuted in Abkhazia sinds the fall of the Soviet Union, and his conviction was seen by some other journalists as part of a government crack-down on independent media in the run-up to the December 2009 Abkhazian presidential election
Abkhazian presidential election, 2009
On 12 December 2009, Abkhazia held its fourth Presidential election since the post of President of the Republic of Abkhazia was created in 1994. The election was won by incumbent president Sergei Bagapsh in the first round with 61% of the votes, thus gaining a second term in office. He was be...
.