United Nations Security Council Resolution 1716
Encyclopedia
United Nations
Security Council Resolution
1716, adopted unanimously on October 13, 2006, after reaffirming all resolutions on Abkhazia
and Georgia
, particularly Resolution 1666
(2006), the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia
(UNOMIG) until April 15, 2007.
The resolution, drafted by Russia
, initially contained references condemning Georgian operations in the Kodori Valley
, but these were later modified to express concern.
, his Special Representative
, Russia
and Group of Friends of the Secretary-General and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe
(OSCE). It regretted the lack of progress towards a settlement of the Georgian–Abkhazian conflict, and acknowledged that new tensions had emerged due to Georgian operations in the Kodori Valley
.
and territorial integrity
of Georgia within its internationally-recognised borders. It reaffirmed the need for a comprehensive settlement based on the principles contained within the "Paper on Basic Principles for the Distribution of Competencies between Tbilisi
and Sukhumi
", calling on both Georgia and Abkhazia to use all mechanisms contained in previous Security Council resolutions to come to a peaceful settlement. The Council supported efforts by both sides to come up with new solutions to resolve the conflict and to engage in economic co-operation.
Addressing both sides, Council members expressed concern at violations of the Agreement on a Cease-fire and Separation of Forces
(Moscow Agreement) and at Georgian operations in the Kodori Valley in July 2006. In this context, it was satisfied that joint patrols by UNOMIG and CIS peacekeeping forces were conducted on a regular basis in the Kodori Valley. All parties were urged to respect the 1994 Moscow Agreement.
Resolution 1716 again called on Georgia to address "legitimate" Abkhaz concerns, while Abkhazia had to address the return of refugee
s and internally displaced person
s, particularly in the Gali region. Both sides were called upon to conclude agreements about nonviolence
, the return of refugees and internally displaced persons in the Gali region. At the same time, both Georgia and Abkhazia were praised for presenting ideas as a basis for further dialogue with regards to a settlement of the conflict, and were urged to follow-through their intention to hold a high-level meeting.
The Secretary-General was instructed to look into ways of improving confidence and the welfare and security of residents in the Gali and Zugdidi districts
.
The text of the resolution went on to remind both sides to ensure the safety and freedom of movement
of UNOMIG, the CIS force and others. Efforts to implement the zero-tolerance sexual exploitation
policy were welcomed and the mandate
of UNOMIG was extended until April 15, 2007. The Secretary-General was required to report on the situation regularly, particularly developments in the Kodori Valley.
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Security Council Resolution
United Nations Security Council Resolution
A United Nations Security Council resolution is a UN resolution adopted by the fifteen members of the Security Council; the UN body charged with "primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security"....
1716, adopted unanimously on October 13, 2006, after reaffirming all resolutions on 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...
and Georgia
Georgia (country)
Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
, particularly Resolution 1666
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1666
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1666, adopted unanimously on March 31, 2006, after reaffirming all resolutions on Abkhazia and Georgia, particularly Resolution 1615 , the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia until October 15,...
(2006), the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia
United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia
The United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia was established by United Nations Security Council Resolution 858 in August 1993 to verify compliance with a 27 July 1993 ceasefire agreement between the Republic of Georgia and forces in Abkhazia with special attention given to the situation in the...
(UNOMIG) until April 15, 2007.
The resolution, drafted by Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, initially contained references condemning Georgian operations in the Kodori Valley
Kodori Valley
The Kodori Valley is a river valley in Abkhazia, Georgia's breakaway autonomous republic. The valley's upper part, populated by Svans, was the only corner of the post-1993 Abkhazia, directly controlled by the central Georgian government, which officially styles the area as Upper Abkhazia...
, but these were later modified to express concern.
Observations
The Security Council supported the political efforts of the Secretary-General Kofi AnnanKofi Annan
Kofi Atta Annan is a Ghanaian diplomat who served as the seventh Secretary-General of the UN from 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2006...
, his Special Representative
Special Representative of the Secretary-General
A Special Representative of the Secretary-General is a highly respected expert who has been appointed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations to represent her/him in meetings with heads of state on critical human rights issues...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
and Group of Friends of the Secretary-General and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe is the world's largest security-oriented intergovernmental organization. Its mandate includes issues such as arms control, human rights, freedom of the press and fair elections...
(OSCE). It regretted the lack of progress towards a settlement of the Georgian–Abkhazian conflict, and acknowledged that new tensions had emerged due to Georgian operations in the Kodori Valley
Kodori Valley
The Kodori Valley is a river valley in Abkhazia, Georgia's breakaway autonomous republic. The valley's upper part, populated by Svans, was the only corner of the post-1993 Abkhazia, directly controlled by the central Georgian government, which officially styles the area as Upper Abkhazia...
.
Acts
The resolution reaffirmed the Council's commitment to the sovereigntySovereignty
Sovereignty is the quality of having supreme, independent authority over a geographic area, such as a territory. It can be found in a power to rule and make law that rests on a political fact for which no purely legal explanation can be provided...
and territorial integrity
Territorial integrity
Territorial integrity is the principle under international law that nation-states should not attempt to promote secessionist movements or to promote border changes in other nation-states...
of Georgia within its internationally-recognised borders. It reaffirmed the need for a comprehensive settlement based on the principles contained within the "Paper on Basic Principles for the Distribution of Competencies between Tbilisi
Tbilisi
Tbilisi is the capital and the largest city of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Mt'k'vari River. The name is derived from an early Georgian form T'pilisi and it was officially known as Tiflis until 1936...
and 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:...
", calling on both Georgia and Abkhazia to use all mechanisms contained in previous Security Council resolutions to come to a peaceful settlement. The Council supported efforts by both sides to come up with new solutions to resolve the conflict and to engage in economic co-operation.
Addressing both sides, Council members expressed concern at violations of the Agreement on a Cease-fire and Separation of Forces
Agreement on a Cease-fire and Separation of Forces
The Agreement on a Cease-fire and Separation of Forces was signed by parties to the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict in Moscow on 14 May 1994. Also known as the 1994 Moscow Agreement, it was witnessed by United Nations, Russian Federation and Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe...
(Moscow Agreement) and at Georgian operations in the Kodori Valley in July 2006. In this context, it was satisfied that joint patrols by UNOMIG and CIS peacekeeping forces were conducted on a regular basis in the Kodori Valley. All parties were urged to respect the 1994 Moscow Agreement.
Resolution 1716 again called on Georgia to address "legitimate" Abkhaz concerns, while Abkhazia had to address the return of refugee
Refugee
A refugee is a person who outside her country of origin or habitual residence because she has suffered persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or because she is a member of a persecuted 'social group'. Such a person may be referred to as an 'asylum seeker' until...
s and internally displaced person
Internally displaced person
An internally displaced person is someone who is forced to flee his or her home but who remains within his or her country's borders. They are often referred to as refugees, although they do not fall within the current legal definition of a refugee. At the end of 2006 it was estimated there were...
s, particularly in the Gali region. Both sides were called upon to conclude agreements about nonviolence
Nonviolence
Nonviolence has two meanings. It can refer, first, to a general philosophy of abstention from violence because of moral or religious principle It can refer to the behaviour of people using nonviolent action Nonviolence has two (closely related) meanings. (1) It can refer, first, to a general...
, the return of refugees and internally displaced persons in the Gali region. At the same time, both Georgia and Abkhazia were praised for presenting ideas as a basis for further dialogue with regards to a settlement of the conflict, and were urged to follow-through their intention to hold a high-level meeting.
The Secretary-General was instructed to look into ways of improving confidence and the welfare and security of residents in the Gali and Zugdidi districts
Zugdidi District
Zugdidi is a Municipality of Georgia, in the region of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. Its main town is Zugdidi.Population: 167,760 Area: 682 km²- Villages of Zugdidi :...
.
The text of the resolution went on to remind both sides to ensure the safety and freedom of movement
Freedom of movement
Freedom of movement, mobility rights or the right to travel is a human right concept that the constitutions of numerous states respect...
of UNOMIG, the CIS force and others. Efforts to implement the zero-tolerance sexual exploitation
Sexual exploitation and abuse in humanitarian response
The sexual exploitation and abuse of beneficiaries by humanitarian workers first came to public attention with the release of a report in February 2002 of a joint assessment mission looking into the issue...
policy were welcomed and the mandate
Mandate (international law)
In international law, a mandate is a binding obligation issued from an inter-governmental organization like the United Nations to a country which is bound to follow the instructions of the organization....
of UNOMIG was extended until April 15, 2007. The Secretary-General was required to report on the situation regularly, particularly developments in the Kodori Valley.
See also
- Georgian–Abkhazian conflict
- List of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1701 to 1800 (2006 – 2008)
- United Nations resolutions on AbkhaziaUnited Nations resolutions on Abkhazia220px|thumb|United Nations map of AbkhaziaThe Security Council of the United Nations passed 32 resolutions where it recognizes Abkhazia as an integral part of Georgia and supports its territorial integrity according to the principles of the international law...