The Security Council this morning decided that an office established in Sukhumi, for the protection and promotion of human rights in Abkhazia, Georgia should form part of the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG), under the authority of the Head of Mission. It took that action by adopting resolution 1077 (1996) by a vote of 14 in favour to none against with 1 abstention (China). Also in the resolution, the Council requested the Secretary-General to continue close cooperation with the Government of Georgia in determining the priorities of the human rights office, and to pursue necessary follow-up arrangements with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The Council also reiterated its full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders. Speaking before action, the representative of China said that it was not within the terms of reference of the Council to authorize the human rights office and that UNOMIG had been entrusted mainly with a peace-keeping mandate. Adoption of the text should in no way constitute a precedent for other peace-keeping operations, he stressed. Following the adoption of the resolution, Council President J. Delmer Urbizo Panting, Foreign Minister of Honduras, read out a complementary statement on behalf of the Council. In the statement, members noted with deep concern the lack of progress on a comprehensive political settlement of the conflict, including on the political status of Abkhazia, which would respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders. Also in the statement, the Council expressed deep concern at the announcement by the Abkhaz side that "so-called parliamentary elections" would be held on 23 November. Such elections would only be possible after determination through negotiations, within the framework of a comprehensive political settlement, with the guaranteed possibility of full participation for all refugees and displaced persons, it added.

The Council also condemned mine-laying and other threats against UNOMIG and the Collective Peace-keeping forces of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS peace- keeping force). (The full text of the statement, to be issued as document S/PRST/1996/43, appears later in this press release.) The meeting, which began at 11:43 a.m., was adjourned at noon.

For further details please see source:
MEETINGS COVERAGE

For further details please see official record:
S/PV.3707

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