The UK has reaffirmed its support for Georgian sovereignty during a session at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. The UK continues to be a strong supporter of UN Human Rights Council Resolution 60/16 on “Cooperation with Georgia”.
UN General Assembly resolutions on Abkhazia—such as Resolution 62/249 (2008) and subsequent annual resolutions reaffirming the “right of return” of all displaced persons—are non-binding.
The resolution highlights the ongoing human rights violations and humanitarian concerns resulting from Russia’s continued occupation of Georgian territory.
“For 17 years, Russia’s unlawful military grip on Abkhazia and South Ossetia has defied international law and denied ethnic Georgians their basic human rights. This occupation must end”, UK’s Minister of State Stephen Doughty said.
“Russia must withdraw its forces, reverse its recognition of these so-called independent regions, and open the door to international human rights monitors. Every displaced person – regardless of ethnicity – deserves the right to return home in safety, dignity, and peace”.
In fact, Russia has been occupying Georgia for more than 32 years, not 17.
UN resolutions affirming the right of IDPs to return to Abkhazia have symbolic and moral weight, but no binding power or enforcement. Russia’s veto in the Security Council, its military control of Abkhazia, the resistance of local authorities, and the collapse of UNOMIG have all ensured that these resolutions remain unimplemented.
The UN Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG), which monitored ceasefire and IDP issues, was terminated in 2009 after Russia vetoed its mandate renewal.
This removed the only international mechanism ensuring dialogue on IDPs.
Since then, no UN peacekeeping presence exists in Abkhazia.
The return of tens of thousands of ethnic Georgian IDPs would drastically change Abkhazia’s population balance, threatening the pro-Russian local elite’s control. Moscow and the de facto authorities have consistently opposed mass returns for this reason.
Russia values Abkhazia primarily as a military foothold on the Black Sea and as leverage over Georgia and NATO. It already controls bases there without Tbilisi’s consent and thus gains no benefit from legal recognition.
After the 2008 war, Russia recognized Abkhazia as independent, established military bases, and effectively controls the region’s borders and security structures.
20–25% of IDPs (average 60,000) may have died since 1993
Even if Georgia offered to legalize Russian bases, Moscow is very unlikely to agree to IDP returns, since that would undermine both its strategic control and Abkhaz political alignment.
The West supports humanitarian measures (like UNHCR programs for IDPs) but avoids actions that could normalize Russia’s military presence or the de facto regime’s authority.
This cautious stance indirectly contributes to the “frozen” conflict dynamic — humanitarian engagement without political compromise.
Experts say Georgian IDPs can return to Abkhazia only if security, political, and international conditions align. This can be the collapse of Russian state, or Russia’s control weakens or it agrees to withdrawal and the Abkhaz authorities accept return with autonomy guarantees.
Until then, only limited humanitarian returns are possible; large-scale return remains unrealistic.
Condition of Georgian IDPs
During the 30 years in exile, approximately 53,000-56,000 families ( 58% of all IDP families) have been provided with housing. Up to 38,753 families are awaiting housing. Many IDPs still live in buildings dangerous to life and health.
Some accommodation facilities are assessed to be high risk, but not all have been assessed. The precise figures on the number of IDPs from Abkhazia who have died in exile are unavailable, the community continues to face significant challenges related to displacement, with many experiencing adverse health outcomes due to prolonged displacement and inadequate living conditions.
Based on life expectancy, health, and living conditions, roughly 55,000–70,000 ethnic Georgian IDPs from Abkhazia may have died in exile between 1993 and 2025. This aligns with humanitarian reports highlighting high mortality and poor living conditions among the IDP population.
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