STATEMENT

Though Russian authorities officially state and assure that their troops are being removed from Georgian territory we are still getting information about cases of robbery in the territories that are under the control of Russian troops, as well as about destruction of military and civil structures of Georgia.

According to reliable data, Russian troops placed mines in some of the Georgian districts which they had previously occupied. The approaches of Gori city are blocked for both Georgian and foreign journalists. The forests of about 250 hectare are being burnt by shells prohibited for use.
  There is information that confiscation of Georgian citizens’ property out of the conflict zone is done not only by the Ossetian guardsmen but also by the Russian troops. There are warnings that there is violence against women and girls, especially in rural settlements. The number of injured is increasing in the hospitals of Tbilisi. There are children and elderly there.
  The actions, which are being performed, should be assessed as occupation of a number of territories of Georgia by the Russian military forces. They are being done by violations of many norms defined by the humanitarian law.
  With this statement, we are expressing not only our concern about human rights violations by the Russian troops, but also we are expressing our anger about letting the performers without punishment and our anger with their protectors.
  International organizations, such as UN, OSCE, CoE and EU should immediately take measures to stop violence against civilians. Delay of actions will lead to new violence and new victims.
  22.08.2008